Postdoctoral Research Officer in Public Health Surveillance

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Officer to join Prof Davey Jones in leading the National Wastewater Programme for Public and Environmental Health in Wales.

This 3-year position offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research monitoring pathogens (viruses, bacteria), antimicrobial resistance, and illicit chemicals in water and wastewater environments. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in advancing wastewater-based epidemiology for public health surveillance, managing key research activities that translate environmental monitoring into actionable public health insights. This position represents a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of environmental science and public health in a nationally significant research programme.

The position involves shaping research direction, helping manage the laboratory team and mentoring Masters and PhD students. You will help expand molecular and bioinformatic approaches for detecting novel pathogens and quantifying functional genes across diverse environments including community and hospital wastewater, coastal waters, and rivers. Additionally, you will work closely with key stakeholders, including Verily for international collaborative projects, Welsh Government officials to inform policy decisions, and Public Health Wales professionals to translate research findings into actionable public health measures. This role requires excellent communication skills to bridge scientific research with practical applications for governmental and healthcare partners. Strong contribution to scientific publications, both as lead author and collaborative team member, is a key expectation.

Qualified candidates should possess a PhD (or be near completion) in clinical or environmental microbiology or a related field, demonstrated experience managing research projects and publishing in high-impact journals, and expertise in microbial quantification techniques (including DNA/RNA extraction from environmental samples, qPCR, and/or metagenomics).

This is a 3 year postdoctoral position and is full time hours across a normal working week.

The position is available from August 1^st, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.

Applications must be submitted through our online recruitment portal at jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.

Closing date for applications: 3 August, 2025.

Committed To Equal Opportunities.

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