Senior Research Technician

Closing Date: Sunday, 25 October 2026, 11:59pm (UK).

About the Role
Applications are invited for a Research Technician position to work on a NERC-funded project titled “Partners in crime: Does microbial cooperation exacerbate nitrous oxide emission from soil?”. The aim of the project is to investigate understand how microbial interactions influence nitrogen cycling and N2O production from soil.

About the research group:
You will join the Lehtovirta-Morley research group in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick University. We are a diverse group of interdisciplinary scientists who study the ecology, physiology and biochemistry of ammonia oxidation.

For more information about our lab visit: Lehtovirta-Morley lab, Warwick: https://www.lehtovirta-morleylab.com/.

Any requests for further information about the role can be directed to Prof. Laura Lehtovirta-Morley (laura.lehtovirta-morley@warwick.ac.uk).

Please note this is an on-campus based role due to the nature of the work, therefore we cannot accommodate any work from home basis.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description (link here).

About You
We are looking for someone with expertise in microbiology and molecular biology but we also welcome applications from people with laboratory management tasks. Applicants should be proficient in planning and undertaking of experiments, handling microorganisms, and working in a laboratory environment.

The successful applicant will provide essential technical research support for this NERC grant on microbial cooperation in soil ecosystems. The key responsibilities include the cultivation of ammonia-oxidising and heterotrophic microorganisms, analysis of inorganic nitrogen, molecular techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, cloning) and analysis of soil microcosms.

The successful applicant will have experience of working in an environmental microbiology or molecular microbiology laboratory. In addition, you will be able to satisfy all essential criteria in the person specification for this post. The position is available from the 1st of December 2026 for 23 months on a 75% FTE basis.

About the Department

School of Life Sciences
For further information about the School of Life Sciences please see our website.

We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent research and teaching environment. Our workplace ethic has enabled us to gain the Athena SWAN Silver award. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all groups with protected characteristics traditionally under-represented in STEM fields. As part of our ongoing commitment to addressing gender equality under the Athena Swan charter mark, we would particularly encourage and welcome applications from female academics.

The School of Life Sciences (SLS) has world-leading research in microbiology including environmental microbiology and biogeochemical cycling, plant-microbe interactions, microbial biochemistry and metabolism, and structural microbiology. All across SLS our research is supported by cutting-edge experimental and computational facilities, including genomics, proteomics, high-performance computing, advanced confocal, flow cytometry, light and electron microscopy facilities and bioinformatics.

We and the wider University of Warwick environment offer substantial opportunities for professional development including regular opportunities to attend international conferences.

Full details of the duties and selection criteria for this role can be found in the vacancy advert on the University of Warwick's jobs pages. You will be routed to this when you click on the 'Apply' button.

Advert information