Research Associate

Applications are invited for a Research Associate (RA), funded by the Wellcome Trust from May 2024. The post is part of a major new, long-term, research programme involving researchers in Sheffield (UK), Jena (Germany) and Harvard (USA) that will integrate microbial physiology, biochemistry and genetics with biophysics, mathematical modelling and world leading imaging capabilities, to gain a transformative understanding of the important human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus.

We will focus on Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA), which is responsible for 100,000 deaths annually. Building on our foundation of recent discoveries, our key goals are to determine the molecular and biophysical basis for high-level resistance in MRSA; to unravel the mechanisms underpinning bacterial cell wall homeostasis during growth and division; and to understand the coordination of cell wall dynamics with cellular physiology, providing a route to novel therapies. 

You will be part of a team of eight RAs in Sheffield, responsible for using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study bacteria, combining imaging and force measurement. You may also use and develop other biophysical techniques for studying bacterial cell walls, including super-resolution optics and nano-IR. We welcome applicants with previous experience of BioAFM or with experience of other biophysical techniques and a desire to learn AFM. The RA will be based in the laboratory of Prof Jamie Hobbs (jamie.hobbs@sheffield.ac.uk) in The Department of Physics and Astronomy. 

We are one of the best not-for-profit organisations to work for in the UK. The University’s Total Reward Package includes a competitive salary, a generous Pension Scheme and annual leave entitlement, as well as access to a range of learning and development courses to support your personal and professional development.

The Faculty of Science is committed to building outstanding teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles whose talent and contributions complement each other. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience. We are open to exploring flexible delivery of the role, subject to business needs. There is scope to discuss this prior to formal interview along with any other accommodation you may need to fulfil your full potential and drive excellence in the role. We particularly welcome applications from currently underrepresented groups including women, people with disabilities and those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

To find out what makes the University of Sheffield a remarkable place to work, watch this short film: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LblLk18zmo, and follow @sheffielduni and @ShefUniJobs on Twitter for more information.

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