Research Fellow

The School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast seek to appoint an exceptional Research Fellow to join the AMR and One Health Lab and Huws Group. The appointee will contribute to interdisciplinary research spanning microbiology, antimicrobial chemotherapy, translational veterinary therapeutics, animal science and bioinformatics.

The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team delivering PUREMILK, a BBSRC Follow-on Fund project focused on combating antimicrobial resistance in bovine mastitis through alternative, non-antibiotic strategies. Working with partners at the Moredun Research Institute and industrial partner RAFT Solutions, the postholder will evaluate the efficacy of novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) for treating bovine mastitis and investigate their modes of action in chronic mastitis studies involving dairy cattle.

The postholder will support the planning, coordination and delivery of research activities across the project; therefore, excellent organisational and communication skills are essential. Priority will be given to candidates with expertise in microbiology and bioinformatics experience, particularly in metataxonomic analysis.

Alongside these scientific responsibilities, the appointee will contribute to key commercial milestones by raising the profile of the research through engagement with farmers, scientists and other stakeholders; supporting freedom-to-operate assessments; preparing data for patent applications and submissions to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate; and assisting initial discussions with companies regarding potential licensing opportunities.

This role will be central to translating research into practical solutions that support the sustainability of the dairy industry and advance the BBSRC strategic priority of ensuring that healthy animals and people underpin sustainable agriculture and food systems.

About The Person

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Applicants must hold, or be about to be awarded, a PhD in a relevant area, preferably microbiology or with a strong microbiology component.
• Significant relevant research experience, including experience of antimicrobial development and efficacy testing, and demonstrable laboratory experience relevant to microbiology and computational biology, specifically 16S rDNA microbiome, metataxonomic and transcriptomic analysis.
• Experience of computational biology and bioinformatics/programming in appropriate languages and software, such as R, and of designing, developing or refining experimental methodologies to generate reliable and reproducible data. They must be able to analyse, critically evaluate and interpret microbiological, molecular or bioinformatic data using appropriate methods, and maintain detailed and accurate laboratory records, formulation records and experimental documentation.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.

This post is available for 24 months or until 31 August 2028 whichever is soonest. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

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