Research Assistant in Marine Biodiscovery

A position is available for an independent and highly motivated individual to work towards a PhD degree as a Research Assistant at the Marine Biodiscovery Centre in the Department of Chemistry. This post is part of the Horizon Europe Doctoral Network HOTBIO ‘A holistic approach to training a new generation of scientists in marine biodiscovery.

The HOTBIO project is a Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network project that aims to train doctoral fellows in the field of marine biology and pharmacology. The University of Aberdeen have received funding to participate in this action through the UKRI Horizon Europe Guarantee Fund.

HOTBIO is a marine biodiscovery project developing secondary metabolites from marine microorganisms into well-characterised compounds that can be applied in medicine, agriculture or aquaculture. This collaborative action comprises a network of leading institutions and offers a first-class research and training program in an international, multidisciplinary environment.

The consortium will welcome 13 early-stage researchers (ESRs), who will develop their individual research projects for three years in one of our excellent beneficiary institutions. Within this network, the candidates will be introduced to every stage of the marine biodiscovery pipeline, while their individual research projects will be dedicated to certain steps of this pipeline. High quality training in transferable skills will also be provided by the network. The main research activities of the PhD students will be accompanied by secondments at different sites, as well as meetings, courses and practical workshops specifically crafted for the project. Furthermore, the fellows will be enrolled in local doctoral schools, where they will get additional training and collaboration opportunities.

The goal of this extensive training program is to complement the day-to-day scientific training with the experiences and tools needed to pursue a future career in any sector of science, both inside and outside academia. Students graduating from HOTBIO will be in a unique position to enter a challenging labour market, as they will have received multidisciplinary training at world-leading research groups in academia and industry partners.

The project that will be carried out at Aberdeen University is entitled “Discovery of novel bioactive compounds from marine microorganisms”

Salary will be offered at non spinal grade 5 (£36,440 per annum). In addition, you will receive a monthly mobility allowance of £391 p/m for a single person or £822 p/m for a married couple.

Informal enquiries should be made to Prof Marcel Jaspars, Chair in Chemistry

e-mail: m.jaspars@abdn.ac.uk 

This post does not meet the minimum requirements for visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route. We are therefore unable to consider applicants for this post that require sponsorship to work in the UK. However, as this post is UKRI funded, it would be eligible for a Global Talent visa under the endorsed funder route.  Tier 4 would not be applicable as they will be employed by the University whilst undertaking their PhD studies.

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

Job Reference Number:  NCS204R

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 13 February 2023

The School Natural and Computing Science 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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