Research Associate – Bacterial-Based Biosensors

Job Title: Research Associate – Bacterial-based Biosensors
Department/School: School of Biomedical Sciences
Campus: Coleraine
Salary: £31,414 - £34,998 per annum
Duration: Fixed-term until 21st January 2027 / Full-time
Closing Date: 7th July 2024
Reference Number: 028642

- ABOUT US -

We are a university with a national and international reputation for excellence, innovation and regional engagement, making a major contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of Northern Ireland.

Our core business activities are teaching and learning, widening access to education, research and innovation and technology and knowledge transfer.

- THE ROLE -

The post holder will act as part of a multidisciplinary research team working to develop a bacterial-based biosensor platform that can be used to detect quorum sensing molecules. This post will involve desk-based and laboratory-based research to design genetic circuits in an engineered E.coli platform to detect quorum sensing molecules secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other selected bacterial pathogens.

“Bacterial-based Biosensors” is an interdisciplinary research project in collaboration with the Tyndall National Institute, Cork, and the University of Nebraska, USA. The project will focus on developing methods to sense and interpret bacterial communications which are central to new emerging threats to human health (antibiotic resistance and biofilm-led colonisation) as well as the global environment (pollution and horizontal gene transfer).

This project is funded by the Department for the Economy (NI) as part of the US-Ireland-R&D Partnership programme.

We may create a 12-month waiting list for the same or similar roles within the Department / Faculty. The University reserves the right to extend the waiting list across the University if required for certain posts.

- ABOUT YOU -

The post holder will be required to have:

- A degree in Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry or a closely related field.
- Have, or be about to obtain (i.e., thesis submitted), a Ph.D. in Microbiology or a closely related field.
- Experience of using at least one of the following molecular biology techniques: gene cloning or CRISPR technology or synthetic biology.

Please find our employee benefits on our website.

Athena Swan Statement

The School of Biomedical Sciences holds a Bronze Athena SWAN Award in recognition of our commitment to advancing Gender equality. You can read more about what this means on our University website. The University has a range of initiatives to support a family-friendly working environment, including flexible working.

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities. Appointment will be made on merit.