Senior Research Assistant in Biology Food and Nutrition

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking to appoint a highly committed, motivated and creative scientist to join the Northumbria University phage research group, within the Dept of Applied Sciences. The researcher will join an active research team focused on phage associated alteration of bacterial species function and the impact on microbial community structure in preterm infants.

Working as part of multi-disciplinary teams, you will support the Principal Investigator in delivery of research activity in the role of bacteriophages in establishment of the preterm infant gut. To look at both phage associated alteration of bacterial species function and the impact on microbial community structure.

For further detail please see the role description .

The contract is fixed term until 30th Sep 2026.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The successful candidate will join Professor Smith's busy phage research team of >8 scientists. His group focuses on early bacterial colonisation and infection of specific environmental niches that are modulated by bacteriophages either through removal of certain bacterial species by lytic, or the addition of new metabolic function by lysogenic phages. We use multiple omics and microbiological approaches to identify the evolution of the tripartite interaction of phages, bacterial host and environment/host.

ABOUT YOU

The researcher will join collaborations with researchers within the Northumbria Universities Microbiome Exploration and Microbial Biotechnology research peaks of excellence. These include computational biologists, microbial ecologists and synthetic biologists.

Applicants should hold a PhD, thesis pending or demonstrable specialist expert knowledge in bacteriophage biology and metagenomics or related subject. You should work well independently but become an important member of a multidisciplinary team. Excellent communication and organisation skills are essential.

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact darren.smith@northumbria.ac.uk

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.

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We are committed to keeping your data safe so it's important for you to know how we use any personal data you give us. For more detailed information, access our Privacy Policy .Are you an experienced Researcher with specialist skills in bacteriophage biology and genomics looking for an opportunity to join an established bacteriophage research group.