Research Associate

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 3 years.

Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

The James Watt School of Engineering is looking for a Research Associate to make a leading contribution to research on the activity, persistence and fate of synthetically engineered microorganisms within complex natural microbial communities, with a focus on water treatment and biofilms.  The project is part of the wider BBSRC-Synthetic Biology Mission Hub, Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre (EBIC), and the successful applicant will interact closely with EBIC partners. The position will be based in Prof Cindy Smith’s group and be part of the wider Water and Environment Research Group and their state-of-the-art research facilities in the Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow.

We are seeking a motivated and talented post-doctoral research associate to carry out this exciting research. The position is focused on understanding the fate of engineered microorganisms within natural mixed microbial communities of relevance to water treatment, including biofilms; the aim is to determine how engineered strains, enhanced for water treatment, are maintained (or not), when introduced to natural microbial communities and determine the impact of their introduction on the natural communities. The aim is to track modified organisms and their genetic adaptions, using quantitative and ‘omic’ approaches within control laboratory scale systems. The EBIC consortium will provide the synthetic organisms.

A solid foundation in experimental planning, environmental microbiology and molecular approaches (quantitative and ‘omics’ approaches), bench scale reactors operation, experimental planning and data analysis including bioinformatics, is desirable. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

For informal enquiries or further information about the project, please contact Professor Cindy Smith (Cindy.Smith@glasgow.ac.uk)

For more information on the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering, please visit https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/engineering/

For more information and to apply online:  https://www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/research-associate-64

Closing date: 5 August 2025

It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment.

We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equality.

The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004401.

Advert information