Microbiology Post-Doctoral Research Associate / Cydymaith Ymchwil Ôl-ddoethurol Microbioleg

Job Description Research Associate.pdf 

Disgrifiad Swydd Cydymaith Ymchwil.pdf

Location: Llandaff Campus

Package: 18-month fixed-term contract 

Contractual hours: 37

The opportunity

You will join the Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma Group, based within the Microbiology and Infection Research Group at Cardiff Metropolitan University. The group has an extensive track record of assessing the prevalence and mechanism of antibiotic resistance among human mycoplasmas as well as addressing questions relating to the prevalence of mycoplasma within the community. 

You will play a vital role in developing and applying a novel target enrichment protocol for direct sequencing of Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA directly from clinical samples obtained from various sites across the globe. These data will assess the types of M. pneumoniae present before and during the re-emergence of M. pneumoniae in late 2023 following its absence since the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

This project is funded by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID)and will be overseen by the ESCMID Study Group for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections (ESGMAC), the ESCMID Study Group for Epidemiological Markers (ESGEM) and the ESCMID Study Group for Genomic and Molecular Diagnostics (ESGMD)

What we are looking for

With demonstrable hands-on expertise in whole genome sequencing and related data analysis, you’ll be able to work independently to drive this innovative project forward under the guidance of the ESCMID study group collaborators. You will ideally have experience working with clinical specimens containing microbial DNA and an appreciation of the handling requirement of such samples.

• Doctoral level qualification or working towards the submission of a thesis.
• Knowledge relevant to the subject area.
• Knowledge of research ethics and governance processes in the relevant area.
• Ability to write research ethics and governance applications in the relevant area.
• Ability to design processes for participant recruitment, data collection and data storage.
• Ability to analyse qualitative and / or quantitative data.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve problems encountered in the research context.
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate and relate to a variety of academics and professionals at different levels through reports, in meetings or by presentations.
• Self-motivated and well organised.
• Experience of working to tight deadlines.
• Experience of presenting research findings.

Why join Cardiff Metropolitan University?

In 2020, the University was named The Sunday Times ‘Welsh University of the Year 2021’; in 2021 it became the Times Higher Education ‘UK and Ireland University of the Year 2022’; and in 2022 it was ranked the top university in the UK in the People and Planet Green League.

We are a values-based University. We are proud of our culture and we are there for our people. Our community spirit is the golden thread that underpins our values and behaviours. We support each other, we are kind to one another, and we are one team; we are One Cardiff Met. We encourage and embrace inclusion that enables everyone to feel respected and able to perform at their best.

In addition, the University offers highly competitive terms and conditions including:

• Annual leave of 35 days, plus 12 bank holiday / concessionary days (pro rata if part time).
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with generous contributions.
• Flexible and remote working opportunities.
• Excellent family friendly policies.
• Award winning sports and fitness facilities with subsidised membership, plus subsidised physiotherapy/complementary therapy/sports massage.
• Access to all library facilities.
• Free family access to our independent specialist wellbeing support provider, Health Assured.

If you would like to talk with us about this opportunity please contact Dr Mike Beeton, Project Lead, at mbeeton@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

Should a high volume of applications be received, we may need to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.

The University is committed to creating a highly inclusive culture. We offer family friendly and flexible working arrangements and a range of staff networks, forums and events to support and develop our people. We warmly welcome applications from those traditionally underrepresented in the higher education sector.

Further information

Please visit our staff recruitment website for information about working for us, our culture, benefits, work-life balance and our career progression and development opportunities.

Papers of interest

Meyer-Sauteur P.M. & Beeton M.L. on behalf of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections (ESGMAC), and the ESGMAC Mycoplasma pneumoniae Surveillance (MAPS) study group Mycoplasma pneumoniae: delayed re-emergence after COIVD-19 pandemic restrictions. Lancet Microbe. 2023. doi: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00344-0.

Meyer-Sauteur P.M. & Beeton M.L. on behalf of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections (ESGMAC), and the ESGMAC Mycoplasma pneumoniae Surveillance (MAPS) study group. Mycoplasma pneumoniae: gone forever? Lancet Microbe. 2023. doi: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00182-9.

Meyer-Sauteur P.M., Chalker, V.J., Berger C., Nir-Paz R. & Beeton M.L. on behalf of the ESGMAC–MyCOVID Study Team. Mycoplasma pneumoniae beyond the COIVD-19 pandemic: where is it? Lancet Microbe. 2022.  doi: 10.1016/S2666-5247(22)00190-2.

Meyer-Sauteur P.M., Beeton M.L., Uldum S.A., Bossuyt N.,  Vermeulen M., Loens K., Pereyre S., Bébéar C., Keše D., Day J., Afshar B., Chalker V.J., Greub G., Nir-Paz R., Dumke R., &  ESGMAC–MyCOVID Study Team. Mycoplasma pneumoniae prevalence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of a global survey, 2017–2021. Eurosurveillance. 2022. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.19.2100746.

Lleoliad: Campws Llandaf

Pecyn: Cyfnod Penodol hyd at 18-mis

Oriau cytundebol: 37

Y cyfle

Byddwch yn ymuno â’r Grŵp Mycoplasma ac Ureaplasma, sydd wedi’i leoli o fewn y Grŵp Ymchwil Microbioleg a Heintiau ym Mhrifysgol Metropolitan Caerdydd. Mae gan y grŵp hanes helaeth o asesu cyffredinolrwydd a mecanwaith ymwrthedd i wrthfiotigau ymhlith mycoplasmau dynol yn ogystal â mynd i’r afael â chwestiynau’n ymwneud â chyffredinolrwydd mycoplasma yn y gymuned. 

Byddwch yn chwarae rhan hanfodol wrth ddatblygu a chymhwyso protocol cyfoethogi targed newydd ar gyfer dilyniannu DNA Mycoplasma pneumoniae yn uniongyrchol o samplau clinigol a gafwyd o wahanol safleoedd ledled y byd. Bydd y data hyn yn asesu'r mathau o M. pneumoniae sy'n bresennol cyn ac yn ystod ail-ymddangosiad M. pneumoniae ddiwedd 2023 yn dilyn ei absenoldeb ers gweithredu ymyriadau anfferyllol mewn ymateb i bandemig COVID-19.

Ariennir y prosiect hwn gan Gymdeithas Ewropeaidd Microbioleg Glinigol a Chlefydau Heintus (ESCMID) a bydd yn cael ei oruchwylio gan Grŵp Astudio ESCMID ar gyfer Heintiau Mycoplasma a Chlamydia (ESGMAC), Grŵp Astudio Marcwyr Epidemiolegol ESCMID (ESCMID) a Grŵp Astudio ESCMID. ar gyfer Diagnosteg Genomig a Moleciwlaidd (ESGMD)

Beth rydym yn chwilio amdano

Gydag arbenigedd ymarferol amlwg mewn dilyniannu genomau cyfan a dadansoddi data cysylltiedig, byddwch yn gallu gweithio'n annibynnol i yrru'r prosiect arloesol hwn yn ei flaen dan arweiniad cydweithwyr grŵp astudio ESCMID. Yn ddelfrydol bydd gennych brofiad o weithio gyda sbesimenau clinigol sy'n cynnwys DNA microbaidd a gwerthfawrogiad o ofynion trin samplau o'r fath.

• Cymhwyster lefel doethuriaeth neu weithio tuag at gyflwyno traethawd ymchwil.
• Gwybodaeth berthnasol i'r maes pwnc.
• Gwybodaeth am moeseg ymchwil a phrosesau llywodraethu yn y maes perthnasol.
• Y gallu i ysgrifennu moeseg ymchwil a cheisiadau llywodraethu yn y maes perthnasol.
• Y gallu i ddylunio prosesau ar gyfer recriwtio cyfranogwyr, casglu data a storio data.
• Y gallu i ddadansoddi data ansoddol a/neu feintiol.
• Yn gymwys i ddefnyddio Microsoft Office.
• Y gallu i ddefnyddio menter bersonol a chreadigrwydd i ddatrys problemau a wynebir yng nghyd-destun yr ymchwil.
• Sgiliau rhyngbersonol cryf gyda'r gallu i gyfathrebu a chysylltu ag amrywiaeth o academyddion a gweithwyr proffesiynol ar wahanol lefelau trwy adroddiadau, mewn cyfarfodydd neu drwy gyflwyniadau.
• Hunan-ysgogol a threfnus.
• Profiad o weithio i derfynau amser tynn
• Profiad o gyflwyno canfyddiadau ymchwil.

Pam ymuno â Phrifysgol Metropolitan Caerdydd?

Yn 2020 cafodd y Brifysgol ein henwi’n 'Brifysgol y Flwyddyn yng Nghymru 2021' gan The Sunday Times; yn 2021 cawsom ein henwi’n 'Brifysgol y Flwyddyn y DU ac Iwerddon 2022' gan y Times Higher Education ac yn 2022 cawsom ein rhestru fel y brifysgol orau yn y DU am gynaliadwyedd yng Nghynghrair Werdd People and Planet a’r brifysgol orau yng Nghymru yn yr Arolwg Hynt Graddedigion. 

Rydym yn Brifysgol sy'n seiliedig ar werthoedd. Rydym yn falch o'n diwylliant ac rydym yno i'n pobl. Ein hysbryd cymunedol yw'r llinyn aur sy'n sail i'n gwerthoedd a'n hymddygiadau. Rydym yn cefnogi ein gilydd, rydym yn garedig i'n gilydd, ac rydym yn un tîm; ni yw Un Met Caerdydd. Rydym yn annog ac yn cofleidio cynhwysiant sy'n galluogi pawb i deimlo eu bod yn cael eu parchu ac yn gallu perfformio ar eu gorau.

Yn ogystal, mae'r Brifysgol yn cynnig telerau ac amodau hynod gystadleuol gan gynnwys:

• Gwyliau blynyddol o 35 diwrnod, ynghyd â 12 diwrnod gŵyl banc / consesiynol (pro rata os yn rhan-amser).
• Aelodaeth o'r Cynllun Pensiwn Llywodraeth Leol gyda chyfraniadau hael.
• Cyfleoedd gweithio hyblyg ac o bell.
• Polisïau rhagorol sy'n ystyriol o deuluoedd.
• Cyfleusterau chwaraeon a ffitrwydd arobryn gydag aelodaeth â chymhorthdal, ynghyd â ffisiotherapi/therapi cyflenwol/tylino chwaraeon â chymhorthdal
• Mynediad i holl gyfleusterau'r llyfrgell.
• Mynediad am ddim i deuluoedd at ein darparwr cymorth lles arbenigol annibynnol, Health Assured.

Os hoffech siarad â ni am y cyfle hwn, cysylltwch ag Mike Beeton, Arweinydd y Prosiect, ar mbeeton@cardiffmet.ac.uk .

Os bydd nifer fawr o geisiadau’n dod i law, efallai y bydd angen inni gau'r swydd wag hon yn gynnar. Felly, rydym yn eich annog i ymgeisio cyn gynted â phosibl.

Mae'r Brifysgol yn ymroddedig i greu diwylliant hynod gynhwysol. Rydym yn cynnig trefniadau gweithio hyblyg a chyfeillgar i deuluoedd ac amrywiaeth o rwydweithiau staff, fforymau a digwyddiadau i gefnogi a datblygu ein pobl. Rydym yn croesawu ceisiadau gan y rheiny sydd heb gynrychiolaeth ddigonol yn y sector addysg uwch yn draddodiadol.

Rhagor o wybodaeth
Darllenwch ewch i'n gwefan recriwtio staff i gael gwybodaeth am weithio inni, ein diwylliant, buddion, cydbwysedd rhwng bywyd a gwaith a'n cyfleoedd ar gyfer camu ymlaen yn eich gyrfa a datblygu.

Papurau o ddiddordeb

Meyer-Sauteur P.M. & Beeton M.L. on behalf of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections (ESGMAC), and the ESGMAC Mycoplasma pneumoniae Surveillance (MAPS) study group Mycoplasma pneumoniae: delayed re-emergence after COIVD-19 pandemic restrictions. Lancet Microbe. 2023. doi: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00344-0. 

Meyer-Sauteur P.M. & Beeton M.L. on behalf of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Infections (ESGMAC), and the ESGMAC Mycoplasma pneumoniae Surveillance (MAPS) study group. Mycoplasma pneumoniae: gone forever? Lancet Microbe. 2023. doi: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00182-9. 

Meyer-Sauteur P.M., Chalker, V.J., Berger C., Nir-Paz R. & Beeton M.L. on behalf of the ESGMAC–MyCOVID Study Team. Mycoplasma pneumoniae beyond the COIVD-19 pandemic: where is it? Lancet Microbe. 2022.  doi: 10.1016/S2666-5247(22)00190-2. 

Meyer-Sauteur P.M., Beeton M.L., Uldum S.A., Bossuyt N.,  Vermeulen M., Loens K., Pereyre S., Bébéar C., Keše D., Day J., Afshar B., Chalker V.J., Greub G., Nir-Paz R., Dumke R., &  ESGMAC–MyCOVID Study Team. Mycoplasma pneumoniae prevalence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of a global survey, 2017–2021. Eurosurveillance. 2022. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.19.2100746.