Research Assistant (Marie-Sklodowska Curie Doctoral Candidate)

The University of Aberdeen is offering a unique opportunity for a Doctoral Candidate (DC) to undertake full-time research, in the framework of the project in PHABB (“Pathogens of Algae for Biocontrol and Biosecurity”). The Doctoral Candidate will be funded for 3 years by the UKRI Horizon Europe guarantee fund as part of the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network (DN) programme.

The PHABB consortium brings together eight partners and twelve associated partner organisations located across Europe and will employ 10 Doctoral Candidates. The main objective of PHABB is to develop new disease management strategies in seaweeds and biocontrol measures of Harmful Algal Blooms with the help of natural pathogens. The DCs will be trained via a comprehensive three-step training programme by a multidisciplinary, inter-sectoral team that includes some of Europe’s leading researchers in the field.

The DC (DC9) will be involved in the detection and identification of harmful HAB species and associated antagonists. The aim is to obtain pure cultures of algal bloom pathogens and their algal hosts and determine infection processes at the microscopic level. DC9 will be part of Work package 2 ‘HAB biocontrol to underpin coastal management and animal aquaculture’.

You must have a 1st class or 2.1 Honour Degree or equivalent in Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology or related discipline and a knowledge of metabarcode sequencing and purification techniques would be desirable.

Be eligible and qualified for enrolment in the PhD programme at University of Aberdeen.

Be willing and able to perform secondments or participate in training programs at the facilities of other consortium members.

You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than twelve months in the three years immediately prior to your recruitment.

This post is funded by UKRI for three years starting after 1 July 2024

Salary will be £38,119 per annum.  You will also receive a monthly mobility allowance of at least £409 per month.

Informal enquiries should be made to Professor Pieter van West, Institute of Medical Sciences (e-mail: p.vanwest@abdn.ac.uk ).

Should you require a visa to undertake employment in the UK you will be required to fulfil the minimum points criteria to be granted a Certificate of Sponsorship under the requirements of the Skilled Worker visa.  At the time an offer of appointment is made, you will be asked to demonstrate that you fulfil the criteria in respect of qualification and competency in English. For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. Please do not hesitate to contact Grant Rae, HR Adviser (e-mail: grant.rae@abdn.ac.uk) for further information.

To apply online for this position visit www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs

Job Reference Number:  IMS282R

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 06 May 2024

The School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition embraces a diverse working environment and recognises the many benefits this can bring.  Applications from individuals from across all of the equality protected characteristics are encouraged.

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