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- Tasks: Join us to develop cutting-edge methods for pathogen surveillance in wastewater and environmental water sources.
- Company: Be part of a pioneering Centre transforming public health with innovative water-based early warning systems.
- Benefits: Enjoy a diverse workplace, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth and publication.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community health while collaborating with experts in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: PhD in pathogen genomics or related field, experience with water samples, and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Lower grade offers available; we celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Research Associate in Pathogen Surveillance (fixed-term)
The Centre of Excellence in Water Based Early Warning Systems for Health Protection is working to transform public and environmental health management, establishing the first Urban Living Lab facility; a state-of-the-art digital water sensing platform, training base and ideas hub. The centre combines sensing, mathematical modelling, data analytics and informatics with epidemiology and public engagement tools to provide low-cost and real-time community-wide testing of population health and the environment.
Applications are invited for a Research Associate position to develop methods to survey pathogens in wastewater and other environmental water sources using molecular techniques, including genomics. Projects could focus on capturing a broad range of viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens, or more high-resolution approaches on focal taxa. We aim to expand established methods for routine monitoring to include source attribution and the detection of rare or emerging pathogens including polio and mpox, or antimicrobial resistance genes. Techniques can include (but are not limited to) genomic metagenomics, probe capture enrichment and dPCR. A synthesis of these molecular with chemical and sensor data being generated by other members of the centre would be particularly desirable.
About the role
The successful candidate will work very closely with other Research Associates, academic leads, technical specialists (water, mass spectrometry and data engineer) and PhD students in the Centre to deliver a unique water-based early warning system for (infectious) disease diagnostics.
About you
Our ideal candidate will have:
- Experience in working with water samples and experience in bioinformatics.
- A PhD (or equivalent) in pathogen genomics or a related discipline.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Potential to publish in high-quality journals.
- Demonstrated awareness of the latest developments in this field of research.
Further information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Helena Lake, Centre Manager, at [emailprotected] or Professor Edward Feil at [emailprotected].
A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with a comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.
What we can offer you:
Find out more about our benefits.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We are very proud to be an autism-friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us @UniofBath and @UniofBathJobs on Twitter for more information.
Further details:
We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.
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Research Associate in Pathogen Surveillance (fixed-term) employer: Scholarshipdb
Contact Detail:
Scholarshipdb Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate in Pathogen Surveillance (fixed-term)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest molecular techniques used in pathogen surveillance, such as genomic metagenomics and dPCR. This knowledge will not only help you understand the role better but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of pathogen genomics and environmental health. Attend relevant conferences or webinars, and connect with researchers on platforms like LinkedIn to gain insights and potentially get referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with water samples and bioinformatics in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of projects you've worked on, as this will demonstrate your practical skills and understanding of the subject matter.
✨Tip Number 4
Reach out for an informal discussion with the Centre Manager or academic leads mentioned in the job description. This shows initiative and gives you a chance to ask questions that can help you tailor your approach when applying.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate in Pathogen Surveillance (fixed-term)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Research Associate position. Familiarise yourself with the specific skills and experiences required, such as expertise in pathogen genomics and bioinformatics.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in working with water samples and any previous research in pathogen surveillance. Emphasise your PhD or equivalent qualifications and any publications in high-quality journals.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that connects your background to the role. Discuss your passion for public health and environmental management, and how your skills can contribute to the Centre's mission of developing innovative pathogen surveillance methods.
Showcase Communication Skills: In your application, provide examples of your excellent communication skills. Mention any experience in collaborating with diverse teams or presenting research findings, as this is crucial for working closely with other researchers and stakeholders.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scholarshipdb
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with molecular techniques, especially in pathogen genomics. Highlight any specific projects where you've worked with water samples or bioinformatics, as this will demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Excellent communication skills are essential for this position. Practice explaining complex scientific concepts in a clear and concise manner, as you may need to collaborate with various team members, including those from different disciplines.
✨Stay Updated on Research Developments
Demonstrate your awareness of the latest developments in pathogen surveillance and environmental health. Mention recent studies or advancements that relate to the role, showing your enthusiasm and commitment to the field.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the specific projects you'll be working on or how the centre collaborates with other departments. It shows your interest and engagement with the role.
