Research Assistant- Microbiology

Salary: £31,396 to £32,332 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 12 May 2024

The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join our research team. You will support our team in using systems microbiology approaches to dissect Gram-negative envelope biology. 

Much of the ecological success of bacteria can be attributed to their robust, protective envelope. The cell envelope is a complex structure, featuring a mesh-like peptidoglycan (PG) layer that provides mechanical protection to the cell. In Gram-negative bacteria, this PG mesh lays between two lipid bilayers, named the inner and the outer membrane. During growth and cell division, the envelope layers are enlarged by the combined actions of different protein machineries. Importantly, the co-ordination of this synthesis is vitally critical for maintaining the structural integrity of the envelope. Disturbed envelope biogenesis, thus, often leads to cell death, making it an excellent antibiotic target. The asymmetric nature of the OM lipid bilayer in Gram-negative bacteria provides a permeability barrier to both hydrophobic and large hydrophilic antimicrobials. This impermeability, in combination with efflux pumps, makes these organisms notoriously difficult to treat with antibiotics. Despite the critical importance of the Gram-negative cell envelope for developing effective antimicrobial therapies, genome-wide tools to dissect envelope biogenesis are still underdeveloped. 

This post is offered on a fixed term basis until 28.02.2026

For informal enquiries contact: Manuel Banzhaf, manuel.banzhaf@newcastle.ac.uk

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/ 

Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/

Please note that if you are successful to this role, you will require medical clearance before you can commence in the role.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities

• Contribution to the research programme of the School/Institute under the clear guidance of a member of an academic staff or Principal Investigator
• Use initiative and creativity to analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, deal with problems which may affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, book)
• Work to deadlines and manage, with support, competing priorities
• Ensure that personal knowledge in relevant fields of study is kept up to date
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate
• Maintain academic standards and freedom, and work in accordance with university policies (e.g. equal opportunities, health and safety policies)
• Possible supervision and demonstration duties within undergraduate laboratories and example classes or in teaching small seminar classes
• Undertake relevant training and development activities to develop capacity for taking on wider responsibilities
• Develop, with advice, an awareness of own professional development needs and a personal development strategy

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Subject knowledge in microbiology
• Good level of analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex information clearly, both orally and through the written word
• The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems 
• A strong background in genetic techniques for a range of bacterial species including mutagenesis, cloning of complex templates and development of reporter constructs
• Significant knowledge and experience with bioinformatic techniques including annotation of sequences, genomic comparisons and homology searching of genes/proteins within publicly available databases
• Experience in the development and optimization of laboratory methods with appropriate troubleshooting conditions

Desirable

• Experience in chemical genomics approaches 
• Prior knowledge in working with secretion systems 
• Prior knowledge working with Staphylococcus aureus

Attributes and Behaviour

• You should display analytical thinking and problem-solving skills towards molecular stopgaps and develop solutions towards assays
• Have a collaborative mindset, both within the immediate laboratory and larger studies with other research groups
• Be able to adapt, identifying gaps within the field and ability to take initiative towards independent research questions

Desirable

• Efficient with time management across multiple projects and be independent in directing research direction 
• You will take an active role in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students, leading research projects in line with university courses 
• Show a clear passion for research, displaying a passion for field and look to access further funding opportunities through grant applications 

Qualifications

• Good honours degree (or equivalent) with subject knowledge in microbiology
• May possess (or be working towards) a higher research degree
   

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 27023