Research Fellow in Molecular Microbiology (112607)

Closing Date: Sunday, 6 December 2026, 11:59 pm.

About the Role
We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral scientist to join our interdisciplinary team tackling the threat of AMR in the human pathogen Clostridioides difficile. You will join the Clostridial Cell Biology Group in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick University and work closely with the biochemists, evolutionary biologists, bioinformaticians, statisticians and clinical microbiologists on the wider team in the Universities of Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds. We will analyse the propensity for C. difficile to evolve resistance to the frontline therapeutic vancomycin, the consequences, genetic basis and mechanisms of resistance and develop the evidence base needed to inform effective treatment in the future.

You will:

• Be responsible for the molecular biology and experimental evolution aspects of the programme.
• Lead on the writing of research publications and interim reports and prepare material and present at national and international conferences and research seminars.
• Assist in the supervision of PhD, masters and undergraduate students.

Any requests for further information about the role can be directed to Prof. Rob Fagan r.fagan@sheffield.ac.uk.

Hybrid Working: 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.

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

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

About You
We are looking for someone with broad expertise in bacterial molecular biology. The ideal applicant should have proficiency in:

• Safe handling of HG2 microorganisms, sufficient to maintain the integrity of a long-term evolution experiment. Experience of anaerobic microbiology is a plus but not essential.
• Purification and analysis of macromolecules including DNA, RNA and protein.
• Cloning and mutagenesis of microorganisms using standard techniques.
• Microscopic imaging of live and fixed bacteria using a range of imaging modalities.

PhD Status
If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£35,302 per annum).

Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£36,320 per annum).

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