Research Associate in Bee Health

Company description:

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Job description:

The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative researcher to work as part of a team on a grant funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme. The BeeGuards consortium consists of 27 partners including scientists, beekeepers and beekeeping associations, consulting and technology companies, from 16 countries. The 4-year project starting in October 2023, aims to provide sustainable management practices, novel breeding strategies, and digital and forecasting tools that will allow the beekeeping sector to adapt to a changing environment.

Newcastle University are responsible for the delivery of Work package 6. entitled "Understanding climate as a driver of Parasites & Pathogens and mitigating their impact". The postdoc will be involved in developing models that predict the spread of pests and diseases in a changing climate; setting up experiments that help us better understand the impact climate shocks can have on honey bee health; testing honey bee and wild bees for the presence of pathogens to assess spill over risk; and developing breeding tools to improve the management of emerging diseases. These tasks will require a combination of data carpentry, modelling, handling live honey bees in laboratory; setting up field studies; and testing for pathogens using real-time qPCR. These tasks will be performed in collaboration with project partners.

You will be responsible for the collection, collation, processing, analysis, presentation (writing, graph production, image production and oral presentations at national/international conferences) and storage of research data in accurate, secure, detailed, and up-to-date records of all work.

We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment and we would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible and/or blended working.

You will work under the guidance of Professor Giles Budge (Work Package 6 Lead) with additional support from Professor Steve Rushton (biological modeller).

The post is offered on a fixed term basis for 36 months.

For informal enquires contact Professor Giles Budge (giles.budge@ncl.ac.uk) or Professor Steve Rushton (steven.rushton@ncl.ac.uk).

To apply, please complete an online application and upload a CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter is a supporting statement, and you should outline how you meet the essential criteria of the role and evidence this with examples.

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