Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the role

We are seeking a talented and motivated Research Associate in Sulfur Biology to join the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, LISCB. This full-time, three-year fixed-term role offers an exciting opportunity to lead an interdisciplinary research project investigating how hypoxic Escherichia coli convert cystine into reactive sulfur species and elemental sulfur. You will take day-to-day ownership of the project, designing and delivering experiments that combine microbial physiology, genetics and chemically rigorous sulfur analysis, while working independently and collaboratively to achieve agreed research milestones.

You will integrate microbiological, biochemical and chemical data to uncover the mechanisms and consequences of bacterial sulfur metabolism under low-oxygen conditions. Working with internal and external collaborators, you will contribute to specialist analytical approaches including GC-MS, LC-MS, NMR, Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy, prepare high-quality publications and present findings at research meetings and conferences. You will also support junior researchers and contribute ideas and preliminary data towards future grants, fellowships and development of the wider reactive sulfur biology programme.

About you

You will hold a PhD, or have equivalent research experience, in microbiology, biochemistry, chemical biology, chemistry or a closely related discipline, with evidence that you have taken substantial ownership of a research project and brought experimental work through to a completed output. You will bring strong analytical problem-solving skills, rigorous experimental design and data interpretation, together with sufficient chemical understanding to reason about molecular structure, reactivity, speciation and mechanism in a biological context. Relevant experience may include bacterial culture, microbial physiology, molecular microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, metabolite analysis, redox biology or analytical chemistry.

You will be confident working independently, making sound experimental decisions and maintaining momentum when research is technically challenging or results are uncertain. Excellent communication and collaborative skills are essential, alongside a commitment to reproducible research, data integrity, accurate record-keeping and safe laboratory practice. We welcome applicants who will contribute positively to the inclusive, inspiring and impactful research culture of the University of Leicester, where diversity is recognised as a strength and staff are encouraged to generate ideas that deliver impact. 

Additional information

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Christopher Switzer on cs876@leicester.ac.uk.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here 

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.