At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative research on viral diseases and develop cutting-edge diagnostic techniques.
- Company: The Pirbright Institute, a leader in viral disease research.
- Benefits: Subsidised gym membership, childcare allowance, free parking, and a vibrant social club.
- Other info: Join a diverse community dedicated to advancing science and improving lives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in global health by tackling viral outbreaks.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a track record of high-quality publications.
The predicted salary is between 44595 - 54505 £ per year.
- Closing Date
- :28August2026
- The Pirbright Institute
The Pirbright Institutedeliversworld-leadingresearchtounderstand, predict, detectandrespondtoviraldiseaseoutbreaks.
Westudyvirusesoflivestockthatareendemicandexotictothe UK, includingzoonoticviruses, byusingthemostadvancedtoolsandtechnologiestounderstandhost-pathogeninteractionsinanimalsandarthropodvectors.
Ourmajorstrengthinunderstandingtheimmunesystemsoflivestockprovidesaplatformtocontrolcurrentdiseasesandrespondtoemergingthreats.
Thisimportantresearchwouldnotbepossiblewithouttheproportionateuseofanimals, whichareintegraltothedevelopmentofnewdiseasecontrolmeasuressuchasvaccinesanddiagnostics.
Wehaveanestablishment-widecommitmenttothe3Rs(replacement, reductionandrefinement), highstandardsofanimalwelfare, acultureofcareandopenness.
Our Instituteismadeupofadynamicandvibrantcommunityofstaffcoveringadiversesetofchosenfields, backgroundsandexperience.
Weallplayacrucialroleinfurtheringthe Institute’saspirations, advancingthefrontiersofscienceandknowledgethroughourexcellentscientificresearch, knowledgesharingandcontribution; witharealfocusinimprovingtheworldinwhichwelive.
Ouroutlookisalwaysbalancedbyourstrongsenseofpurpose, valuesandbehavioursandanunwaveringcommitmenttoa‘one Institute’approach.
Organisationpositionandpurpose
Supportingour Internationalreferencelaboratoriesat Vesicular Disease Reference Laboratory , WRLFMD and Non-Vesicular Reference Laboratory , thispositionprovidesauniqueopportunitytodevelopacareeraimedattranslatingemergingdiagnostictechniquesandimproveddiseasecontrolapproachesthatarerelevantforboththe UKandcountriesreceivingoverseasdevelopmentassistance(ODA).
Workingcloselywithscientistsengagedinfundamentalresearch, youwilldevelopaportfolioofprojectsthroughexistingandnewcollaborationswithpublicandindustrialpartners.
Youwillactasaconduittopioneernewmethodsandestablishnewtools, andgenerateoutputswithinternationalimpacttoensureweachieveouraimofpredicting, detectingandcontrollingoutbreaksofviraldiseases.
- Responsiblefordeliveryaprogrammeofappliedresearch, whichwillinclude:50%
- Deliveringscientificworkthattargetsthedevelopmentofnoveldiagnosticplatformsforlivestockdiseases.
- Ensuringresearchactivitiesalignwiththeprioritiesofthereferencelaboratories.
- Recognisingapplied-researchpotentialandimpactsarisingfromthe Instituteresearchportfolio.
- Withinthegroup, actingastheprimarycontacttoestablishandmaintaincollaborativepartnershipswithacademicandindustrialpartners
- Integratingwithresearchleadersbasedatthe Institute.
- Buildingcapacityfordiagnosticanddiseasecontrolwithinlaboratorynetworks.
- Contributetothemanagementofthereferencelaboratories:10%
- Directline-managementofjuniorstafftoensurethattheyaremotivatedtocontributetopriorityobjectives
- Committocontributetoon-callrotasforout-of-hourstesting(whereneeded)
- Specificrequirements
- Evidenceofexcellentoralandwrittencommunicationskills, includingtheabilitytocommunicateeffectivelywithfundingbodies, peer-reviewgroups, governmentagencies
- Evidenceofproducinghighqualitypublicationsinpeer-reviewedjournals
- Evidenceofnetworkingskillswiththeabilitytobuildeffectivecollaborativerelationships
Duetothenatureoftheworkcarriedoutby Pirbright, allsuccessfulapplicantswillberequiredtogothroughacomprehensivescreeningprocessincludingreferenceandqualificationchecks, financialandsecurityclearances.
- Whatweoffer
- Pirbrightgymwithsubsidisedmembership
- Pirbrightsocialclub
- Cycletowork
- Subsidisedstaffrestaurant
- Childcareallowance
- Freeonsiteparking
- Electric Carchargingfacilities
- Weacknowledge, understand, andembracediversity, equalityandinclusion
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Postdoctoral Scientist employer: Pirbright Institute
The Pirbright Institute is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative working environment that fosters community and innovation. Located in a beautiful semi-rural setting, employees benefit from generous leave policies, a robust pension scheme, and access to on-site facilities including a gym and restaurant, all while contributing to groundbreaking research in viral disease control. With ample opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, joining Pirbright means being part of a mission-driven team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on global health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Postdoctoral Scientist
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Pirbright Institute, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Pirbright Institute. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Postdoctoral Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Pirbright Institute. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Pirbright Institute. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pirbright Institute
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Pirbright Institute. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Pirbright Institute to drive research projects forward.
