英国华威大学博士后职位—细菌生物学
Research Fellow (107001-0123)
University of Warwick
Fixed-term contract to start in May 2023, for up to a maximum 36 months; the duration may need to be shortened up to a maximum 31 months depending on the starting salary of the successful candidate. 1.0 FTE.
A postdoctoral research associate (Research Fellow) position is available to join the laboratory of Associate Professor Christopher Rodrigues. We seek an independently thinking, highly motivated and dedicated team-player with expertise in bacterial molecular genetics, cell biology and biochemistry to work on the biology of bacterial endospore development. The candidate will have the opportunity to develop research relating to different molecular processes during spore development and how they intersect with each other.
The successful candidate will work alongside Dr Rodrigues and work to develop a BBSRC-funded project in the Rodrigues Laboratory in the School of Life Sciences. The ideal candidate will have a proven track-record in bacterial biology and genetics, with experience in cell biology and molecular and biochemical approaches. The candidate will be based at the Gibbet Hill Campus of the School of Life Sciences. There will be valuable opportunities for the candidate to develop as an independent scientist since they will be expected to drive projects and work with project collaborators, including Dr Darius Köster based at the Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology.
If you are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD but have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant at the top of level 5 of the University grade structure (£31,411). Upon receipt of evidence of the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of level 6 of the University grade structure (£32,348).
Please submit your application including your CV, the names of three referees and a covering letter (maximum one page, font size 11, font type Arial) stating why you are interested in working on this topic, what you would bring to this position and how your experience aligns to overall position description. For informal enquires or more information about the position please contact Dr Christopher Rodrigues: christopher.rodrigues@warwick.ac.uk.
Interview Date: TBC.
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
To carry out research and support a principal investigator on a BBSRC-funded project looking to understand how bacteria develop into spores and how bacterial spores assemble their cell envelope.
The Rodrigues Laboratory focuses on how bacteria develop into spores. Bacterial spores are one of the hardiest cell types on Earth and allow bacteria to persist in the environment when nutritional conditions are no longer favourable for growth. Spores are resistant to common sterilisation methods that kill most bacteria, are inert to antibiotics and underlie new and recurrent infections in insects, animals and humans.
The work will involve examination of new molecular aspects of spore development in model bacteria. The selected candidate will have an opportunity to develop expertise in bacterial molecular genetics and cell biology approaches and be engaged in other projects involving structural biology and biochemical methods. On the laboratory side, this will include bacterial cultivation and examination of sporulation mutants under the microscope or by defined assays. It will involve determining the subcellular localization of proteins and the identification of protein-protein interaction networks using biochemical methods. Successful completion of the project will also rely on excellent communication and writing skills in order to realise and disseminate the impacts of the work through publications and attendance at conferences. Training will be provided for specialised procedures as well as in project management.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Research and Scholarship
1. Project management: planning and undertaking of experiments, as well as managing the use of research resources, data and data storage, equipment and ensure that effective use is made of them.
2. Cultivation and genetic manipulation of bacteria, including adapting cultivation conditions and trouble-shooting genetic manipulations.
3. Analysis and integration of molecular, genetic and cell biology data using appropriate tools and software.
4. Undertake techniques such DNA extractions, PCR, cloning and mutagenesis, transposon-sequencing, immunoblotting, co-immunoprecipitation, protein purification, fluorescence microscopy, quantitative image analysis.
5. Ensuring an up-to-date understanding of relevant literature on bacterial biology, particularly around endospore development.
6. Writing or contributing to publications or disseminating research findings using media appropriate to the outcomes
7. Supervise and mentor students. Being pro-active at resolving/communicating problems of meeting research objectives and deadlines in collaboration with the PI.
8. Contribute to the management of collaborations, by being a point-of- contact in e-mail correspondence relating to the sharing of materials, shared data and manuscripts.
9. Developing new concepts and ideas to extend intellectual understanding. Assessing, interpreting and evaluating outcomes of research in order to progress projects.
10. Participating actively in laboratory meetings and journal club.
Teaching and Learning Support
1. Assist in the supervision of student projects and the development of student research skills
2. May be involved in the assessment of student knowledge and supervision of projects
Administration and Other Activities
1. May be required to attend departmental meetings and to participate (where necessary) in other committees and working groups within the department, the faculty and the University
2. Ensure compliance with health and safety in all aspects of work
3. Work within budget constraints
The duties and responsibilities outlined are not intended to be an exhaustive list but provide guidance on the main aspects of the job. The postholder will be required to be flexible in their duties.
Person Specification
The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.
Essential Criteria 1
Good honours degree and possession of a PhD or equivalent in relevant discipline. (a)
Essential Criteria 2
Proven ability in research and evidence of high-quality research output in bacterial molecular genetics/bacterial cell biology/bacterial biochemistry. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 3
Sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in bacterial biology and genetics. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 4
Experience in collaborating on interdisciplinary projects involving both wet and dry bench bacterial biology research. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 5
Experience in complex molecular biological techniques, such as transposon- sequencing. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 6
Have experience of working with a PI to analyse the requirements of a project, including setting project milestones and communicating progress or problems. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 7
Have experience of supervising technical staff and/or PhD students to manage research programmes. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 8
Excellent effective communication (oral and written) skills, presentation, training and writing skills. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 9
Ability to contribute to the development of funding proposals in order to generate external funding to support research projects. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 10
Experience of working in a laboratory environment and understanding of health and safety requirements related to laboratory practice. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 11
Willingness to work longer hours when required. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 12
Experience in using a range of bioinformatic methods and tools related to protein topology, remote sequence identity and structural similarity. (a, c, d)
Desirable Criteria 1
Previous postdoctoral experience in bacterial molecular genetics / bacterial cell biology /bacterial biochemistry. (a, c, d)
Desirable Criteria 2
Experience in the expression and purification of proteins from insect cell lines. (a, c, d)
Desirable Criteria 3
Experience in high-resolution fluorescence microscopy approaches, using living cells and/or purified molecules. (a, c, d)
Further Particulars
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars.
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website.
We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent research and teaching environment. We regard inclusivity and diversity as important criteria and thus particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. Our flat departmental structure ensures that everyone has an equal voice that is listened to. Our supportive, dynamic and collegiate ethic has enabled us to gain an Athena SWAN Silver award.
The Rodrigues lab is an active research group with interests in bacterial biology and genetic approaches to understanding how bacteria develop into endospores. Many opportunities for training and communication of results within and outside the school are provided. For further information about our research interests and the group please see our website at Rodrigues Laboratory.
The Post A postdoctoral research associate position is available to join the laboratory of Associate Professor Christopher Rodrigues. We seek an independently thinking, highly motivated and dedicated team-player with expertise and passion for bacterial molecular genetics, cell biology and biochemistry to work on the biology of bacterial endospore development. The candidate will have the opportunity to develop research relating to different molecular processes during spore development and how they intersect with each other.
The successful candidate will work alongside Dr. Rodrigues and work to establish and develop projects in the Rodrigues Laboratory in the School of Life Sciences. The ideal candidate will have a proven track-record in bacterial biology and genetics, with experience in cell biology, molecular and biochemical approaches. The candidate will be based at the Gibbet Hill Campus of the School of Life Sciences. There will be valuable opportunities for the candidate to develop as an independent scientist.
For informal enquires or more information about the position please contact Dr Christopher Rodrigues: christopher.rodrigues@warwick.ac.uk.