Research Fellow

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to June 2025

Closes: 09/04/2024

Background

The gut microbiome has an important role in human health and disease. Increasingly the gut microbiome has been linked to mental well-being and acuity. In this project we aim to characterise the gut microbiome of a cohort of healthy individuals and to correlate taxonomic data with the outcomes of psychological tests. 

Role Summary

• Work within research grants and with project team
• Operate within area of specialism (microbial bioinformatics)
• Perform analyses of shotgun metagenomic data and interpret research findings and results 
• Contribute to reporting outcomes to funders and draft reports and manuscript

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Analyse and interpret data
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters 
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism (microbiology, bioinformatics or microbiome sciences) and normally, a PhD degree (or near to completion) relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• High level analytical capability in the field of bioinformatics, microbial genomics or microbiome sciences
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquires can be made to Willem van Schaik, email: w.vanschaik@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the above ‘Apply’ button.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment.
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

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