Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to research on the activity, fate and persistence of synthetically engineered microorganisms within complex natural microbial communities, with a focus on water treatment and biofilms. The position will be based within the Water and Environment Research Group with Prof Cindy Smith, in their state-of-the-art facilities housed in the Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow. The project is part of the wider BBSRC-Synthetic Biology Mission Hub – Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre (EBIC) and the successful applicant will interact closely with EBIC collaborators.

We are seeking a motivated and talented post-doctoral research associate to carry out this exciting research. The position is focused on understanding the fate of engineered microorganisms within natural mixed microbial communities of relevance to water treatment, including biofilms; the aim is to determine how the fitness of engineered strains enhanced for water treatment, is maintained (or not) and impacts their ecological persistence, when introduced to natural microbial communities. The aim is to track the persistence and fate of the organisms and their genetic adaptions, using quantitative, and ‘omic’ approaches.

This will be done in laboratory scale reactors. The EBIC consortium will provide the synthetic organisms**.** A solid foundation in experimental planning, environmental microbiology molecular approaches (quantitative and ‘omics’ approaches), bench scale reactors operation, experimental planning and data analysis including bioinformatics, is desirable. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.       Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.

2.       Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

3.       Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

4.       Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

5.       Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

6.       Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

7.       Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners).

8.       Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.

9.       Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

10.    Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

11.    Make a leading contribution to Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

12.    Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

13.    Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

14.    Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

15.    Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience

A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism.

A3 Knowledge of environmental microbiology and water treatment; knowledge of molecular approaches to study mixed microbial communities.

Skills

Essential:

C1: Experience in environmental microbiology approaches to track microbes and genes within complex environmental samples, including quantitative approaches such as qPCR, ddPCR, flow cytometry or microscopy; and ‘omics’ approaches such as amplicon sequencing, metagenomics/transcriptomics are desirable.

C2: Experience in statistical, data analysis and bioinformatics for mixed microbial communities e.g. amplicon sequencing/metagenomics/transcriptomics.

C3:Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

C4: Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.

C5: Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.

C6: Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

Desirable:

D1: Ability to run laboratory/bench scale bioreactors of relevance to environmental biotechnology in which to test the microbes or microfluidic approaches

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

E2 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality publications/conferences

E3 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E4 Experience in undertaking independent research

E5 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.

E6 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.

Closing date:  5 August 2025

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,497 - £45,413 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 3 years

Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.