Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Water Virology

Fixed Term Contract until 28 February 2025

Research Assistant (if close to completing PhD) full time starting salary is normally in the range of £34,450 per annum

Research Fellow (if PhD obtained) full time starting salary is normally in the range of £37,337 to £40,347 per annum, dependent on skills and experience

Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated Water Quality Scientist to join our dynamic team in addressing the crucial challenge of safeguarding drinking water quality against viral pathogens, an area underscored by recent revisions to the EU Drinking Water Directive. You will play a pivotal role in a groundbreaking project aimed at advancing our understanding and management of viral risks in water supplies. This involves conducting comprehensive investigations into the presence and removal of somatic coliphage, a newly mandated viral indicator, across various water treatment contexts. Utilizing state-of-the-art methodologies developed in a pathfinder project, the role encompasses appraising source waters for viral contamination, assessing the efficacy of treatment processes under challenging conditions, and exploring correlations between coliphage presence and pathogenic viruses. This position is instrumental in guiding the water industry towards effective interventions and regulatory compliance, enhancing public health protection.

Your work will contribute to a national surveillance program, inform the selection of management strategies, and optimize treatment processes to mitigate viral risks. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional passionate about environmental science and public health to impact the water sector significantly.

About You

You will have a PhD or EngD (obtained or near completion) in a field related to Public Health Microbiology, Virology, Infectious diseases, Microbiology, Bacteriology, Parasitology, Epidemiology, Public Health Engineering (ideally with application to drinking water and/or wastewater), and have experience of management research using both qualitative and quantitative methods. With excellent communication skills, you will have expertise in drinking water / wastewater and a background in environmental or engineered systems would be an advantage. Equivalent industry experience would be considered.

About Us

The Water theme at Cranfield University is home to two internationally recognised centres of excellence: Cranfield Water Science Institute and the Centre for Water Environment and Development. Both groups offer postgraduate taught and research degrees as well as short courses on campus or in-company.

Cranfield Water Science Institute has a proud reputation for its research on the science, engineering and management of water. Our lives and livelihoods are dependent on the natural and engineered water cycles. Accordingly, research and skills development in water treatment and management have never been more vital. Cranfield’s research in these areas is applied and industry focused, and we have been driving innovation for over 40 years.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

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