Research Assistant: Developing Automated Approaches to Studying Microbial Communities

Job reference: BMH-025178

Salary: £30,487-£34,980 per annum depending on relevant experience

Faculty/Organisational Unit: Biology, Medicine Health

Location: Oxford Road

Employment type: Fixed Term

Division/Team: Division of Evolution, Infection & Genomics

Hours Per Week: Full Time (1 FTE)

Closing date: 29/03/2024

Contract Duration: 18 Months

School/Directorate: School of Biological Sciences

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This research assistant position is funded by a Philip Leverhulme Prize grant led by Dr Kat Coyte.

The Coyte lab studies how microbial communities change over time. We’re interested in questions like “how do microbiomes initially assemble?”, and “how do mobile genetic elements shape microbiome dynamics and function?”. Addressing these questions often requires tracking microbiomes – both in vitro and in vivo – over long periods of time, and across huge numbers of different conditions. However, this can be challenging with classic microbiological techniques.

The goal of this position is to develop new automated approaches to studying microbiome dynamics in medium / high-throughput. This may involve working with small modular bioreactors to culture synthetic microbiomes, and/or working with opensource robotics to process huge numbers of microbiome samples. While the initial focus of this role will be upon method development, there will be considerable flexibility for the postholder to then utilize these new tools to develop their own research ideas, potentially leading to a PhD proposal if appropriate.

Alongside method development the post holder will support a wide range of research activities within the research group, including: assisting group members with routine research tasks, managing lab consumables, teaching group members to use equipment, and ensuring health and safety compliance. This specialized position requires a dedicated individual who can work independently and enjoys tackling complex technical challenges.

Applicants should have substantial relevant experience of working in a research laboratory and should hold a qualification at QCF level 6 (such as a bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant biological science subject, OR QCF level 2 passes (such as GCSE’s) in English and Mathematics and at least one Science subject, or other equivalent qualifications.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status.  All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.         

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Dr Kat Coyte

Email: katharine.coyte@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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