Postdoctoral Research Officer in Amphibian Host-Microbiome Interactions in Bangor

Applications are invited for a 36‑month fixed‑term, full‑time Postdoctoral Research Officer in Amphibian Host‑microbiome Interactions. Based in the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, the successful applicant will join a thriving and diverse community of scholars undertaking world‑leading research in molecular ecology and evolution. The successful candidate will join a UK‑US collaborative research project investigating how species‑specific interactions between amphibian skin microbiomes and immune systems shape outcomes of infection by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

The post is part of a UK‑US collaborative project led by Bangor University and George Washington University (US) with partners from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (US) and Tropical Research Institute (Panama), funded by BBSRC (UK) and NSF (US). The project investigates the role of amphibian skin microbiomes and skin‑resident immune components in determining species‑specific outcomes of infection by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). The post holder will focus on microbiome and metagenomics components of the project, working collaboratively with partners in the UK, US and Panama.

Purpose of the Job

The post holder will be responsible for planning, conducting, analysing and contributing to the publication of the microbiome‑related components of the project. This includes leading 16S metabarcoding, shotgun metagenomic and bacterial genome sequencing activities, integrating microbiome datasets with infection, immune and transcriptomic data, and liaising with UK, US and Panama‑based project partners.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Generate and analyse data: prepare and process DNA samples from amphibian skin and bacterial isolates; generate and analyse 16S metabarcoding and shotgun metagenomic datasets; perform bacterial genome sequencing; analyse microbial community composition, microbiome function, bacterial colonisation and persistence, and bacterial host‑specificity; integrate microbiome data with data from the wider project team.
• Work as part of the research team to deliver research outcomes by disseminating outputs through journal articles, reports, conferences, project workshops and other appropriate routes; collaborate with co‑researchers to write results and provide progress updates.
• Assist and support the administration of the research project by arranging and participating in project meetings, coordinating sample and data transfer, depositing data and code, liaising with partners, contributing to project updates, and ensuring the project meets its aims.
• Assist with monitoring the financial controls of the research project by planning and monitoring sequencing, consumables, travel and equipment needs, entering data and preparing reports to monitor finance, and assisting in the preparation of proposals for research funding.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Advise and collaborate with Masters and PhD students within the research group; contribute to project workshops and knowledge‑exchange visits; conduct research visits to partner laboratories where appropriate; attend national and international conferences; participate in School, College and research group activities.
• Participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• Comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
• Maintain health, safety and welfare duties, adhere to health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• Comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications and Training

• A PhD (or near completion) in molecular ecology, microbial ecology, disease biology, bioinformatics, genomics or a related discipline.

Desirable

• Previous postdoctoral experience in a related area.

Essential Experience and Knowledge

• Research background in microbial ecology, disease biology, host‑microbe interactions, or genomics.
• Experience in basic molecular biological techniques and high‑throughput sequencing.
• Expertise in computational analysis and coding relevant to large high‑throughput sequence datasets.
• Expertise in host‑microbiome interactions.
• Motivation and enthusiasm for the project aims.
• High‑quality publication record.
• Conference presentation record.

Desirable Experience and Knowledge

• Experience in developing reproducible bioinformatics workflows.
• Experience in shotgun metagenomic dataset analysis.
• Experience in metabarcoding dataset analysis.
• Experience in integrating multi‑omics datasets.
• Knowledge of amphibian disease biology.

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills (English).
• Analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results.
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
• Good interpersonal skills, willingness to coordinate with others and work as a team.
• Willingness to travel to partner institutions in the US and Panama.

Desirable Skills and Abilities

• Proven project management skills.
• Good computer skills, including MS Office, Powerpoint, Excel or equivalents.
• Knowledge of Welsh is desirable; opportunities to learn Welsh are available.

Equal Opportunities

Committed To Equal Opportunities. The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity, and fostering an inclusive working environment. All applications are treated equally. The University complies with Welsh Language Standards and the Equality of Opportunity policy. The University is a Disability Confident employer.