The Role

Applications are invited for a motivated Postdoctoral Research associate in environmental microbiology and bioinformatics with a particular emphasis on wastewater-based epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the research project "TEXAS- Towards next-generation AMR surveillance: Assessment of novel technologies with high-throughput and multiplexing potential" a Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR). TEXAS aims to develop and validate promising technological platforms that can be readily incorporated into national and international integrated surveillance programs. Therefore, the candidate will work with Dr Marcos Quintela-Baluja and Professor David W. Graham in a global team with institutions from five countries (AU, CAN, ISRL, SA and UK). The successful applicant will be expected to collaborate closely with other TEXAS members to generate and analyse large environmental metagenome collections to understand the co-occurrence and evolution of antimicrobial resistance.

This post is fixed term for 20 months to coincide with the duration of the existing funding. There is the possibility of an extension beyond this period, if additional funding can be secured.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by January 2025.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

• A good first degree in a STEM discipline.


• A PhD (or be close to submission) in the study of antimicrobial resistance or a related subject.

Experience

• Experience in conducting high quality academic research.


• Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.


• Demonstrable ability to present research papers at national and international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.


• Experience in nucleic acids extraction, PCR-related techniques (qPCR, HT-qPCR), and data analysis using HPC (R and Unix languages required).

Skills

• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.


• Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.


• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable Criteria

Experience

• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.


• A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.


• Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.


• Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals.


• Experience in NGS library preparation and data analysis using Python

Skills

• Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.