Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Job title:

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Company

University of Stirling

Job description

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position to work within a new inter-disciplinary NERC funded GCRF project, “Sustainable Plastic Attitudes to benefit Communities and their Environments (SPACES)” in the department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Stirling, UK. We are seeking a highly motivated individual specialising in environmental microbiology and the colonisation dynamics and ecology of human pathogens (particularly species of the pathogenic yeast, Candida) in biofilms attaching to plastics. The successful candidate will be based in Stirling and become part of the wider interdisciplinary team involved with this £3.85m project, which involves a consortium led by the University of Stirling, and involves the University of Malawi, University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.This ambitious project is at the forefront of solid waste management and improved environmental decision-making by characterising the impact of plastics to human health in Africa.By quantifying the processes of human pathogen colonisation, dispersal and exposure pathways, the “SPACES Project” will address key environmental challenges and have far-reaching implications for human health and well-being in sub-Saharan African communities.The appointee for the post “Postdoctoral researcher in Environmental Microbiology and the Ecology of Plastic Pollution” will undertake a range manipulative experiments to characterise microbial colonisation of plastics and subsequent survival, and delivery to receptors through freshwater, soil and urban environments. These will be conducted in Stirling in highly controlled conditions in our labs. Experiments will use a range of pathogenic fungi and bacteria to quantify persistence dynamics of biofilm formation of these pathogens on experimentally defined plastics under simulated environmental conditions relevant to sub-Saharan Africa, e.g. UV irradiance, temperature, desiccation.Additional Information:Informal enquiries may be made to Prof Richard Quilliam, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences ( ).The University of Stirling offers great benefits such as generous annual leave and membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme with employer contributions of 16%. Additionally, staff can benefit from a reduced membership rate at the University’s excellent Sport Centre facilities and the option of childcare vouchers through a salary sacrifice scheme.Equality and diversity are central to our activities at the University of Stirling. We believe everyone should be treated with respect and we deal with people as equals. We promote equality and celebrate diversity through a variety of initiatives. The University has been awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze award, the national charter for women in science, which recognises and promotes good practice in advancing women’s careers in STEMM academia (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine). In addition, Biological & Environmental Sciences holds a departmental Athena Swan bronze award. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of gender and ethnic group, but as women and members of ethnic minority groups are currently under-represented at this level of post, we would encourage applications from members of these groups. Appointment will be based on merit alone.Description of Duties

• Designing experiments, leading lab work, and collecting data on colonisation dynamics of human pathogens in microcosm systems
• Attending regular meetings and communication with the research team
• Using traditional microbiological approaches and developing molecular approaches to quantify human pathogens on plastics in the environment
• Contributing to the intellectual development of the project, including analysing data
• Taking the lead in writing scientific papers and publishing results in high-impact journals
• Helping supervise undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students working on related research

Essential CriteriaQualifications

• PhD in a relevant discipline, such as environmental microbiology, molecular biology, human pathogens in biofilms

Knowledge & Experience

• Extensive experience of using microbiological techniques, particularly with human fungal pathogens
• Extensive experience of using standard molecular techniques (e.g. DNA extraction, molecular cloning techniques, PCR, qPCR, RT-PCR)
• Evidence of the ability to carry out a research project to its completion
• Track record of publishing peer-reviewed papers proportional to the career stage of the applicant
• Experience in organising and conducting complex research projects

Skills & Attributes

• Inventive and creative
• Self-motivated
• Able to communicate well both orally and in written form
• Work collaboratively in a team
• Able to conduct repetitive tasks precisely and carefully

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of the behaviour of human pathogens in the environment
• Experience of working with microbial contaminants (Hazard group 2)
• Knowledge of risk assessment approaches
• Skills in statistical analysis
• Experience in field work, and sample collection from the environment
• Driving licence

Behaviours and CompetenciesThe role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

• Managing self and personal skills

Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly. * Delivering excellent serviceProviding the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

• Finding solutions

Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation. * Embracing changeBeing open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles. * Using resources effectivelyIdentifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets. * Engaging with the wider contextEnhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values. * Developing self and othersShowing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential. * Working togetherWorking collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process. * Achieving ResultsConsistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.About UsFaculty of Natural SciencesThe Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS) encompasses the Divisions of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Computing Science and Mathematics, Psychology and the Institute of Aquaculture. FNS is a distinctive academic arena where new fundamental understandings of the complex and challenging inter-relationships between human behaviours, technologies, biological and environmental systems are created, explored and tested. The most recent national assessment of research – REF2021 -confirmed that 80% of our research is classed as world leading and internationally excellent. It is supported through UK Research Councils, European Union and a range of research charities We work with businesses and public service organisations both at home and overseas to achieve direct and positive outcomes for society across a range of critical problems. Substantial investment aligned with the City, Region, and Growth deals is supporting major new infrastructure developments linked to the Faculty including Scotland’s International Environment Centre and the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub.Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES)Our research interests are broad, ranging from conservation and evolutionary ecology to environmental processes including carbon and nutrient cycling, aquatic and catchment sciences, landscape and forest ecology, evolutionary biology, environment and human health, energy and environmental sustainability. Research activities are led by principal investigators who seek to understand the fundamental processes driving the evolution and maintenance of the natural environment and its interactions with human populations. We develop and exploit a range of technologies from Earth observation through to molecular techniques to understand how environments function and ecosystems are impacted from local to global scales and over annual to millennial timescales. Our research and impacts are found in all continents of the world and position us as a leading institution in Environmental Protection and Biological Conservation. In REF2021 all 100% of our research was rated as having either outstanding or very considerable impact.The UniversityThe University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.The University has twice been recognised with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
@stiruni

Expected salary

Location

Stirling

Job date

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 04:27:27 GMT

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