At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team developing innovative tools for tracking water quality using bacteriophages.
- Company: University of Bath, known for its supportive and diverse environment.
- Benefits: Generous salary, professional development, and a family-friendly workplace.
- Other info: Full-time role with excellent career growth and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental health while working with cutting-edge research.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in relevant fields, with data analysis skills.
The predicted salary is between 38784 - 46049 € per year.
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join a NERC funded project to develop novel bacteriophage-based tools for microbial source tracking. The project is a collaboration between the Universities of Bath, Brighton, Sheffield and the Environment Agency and the successful candidate will join a highly supportive and collegiate team working across these institutions. This role, based at the University of Bath, will focus on the analysis of viral metagenomic data to identify human gut associated bacteriophage sequences that can be exploited to monitor water quality.
In particular the role will involve:
- Supporting the development of methods for generating viral metagenomes from wastewater samples
- Analysis of metagenomes and identification of bacteriophage signatures with high diagnostic potential for faecal pollution
- Development of algorithms and pipelines to detect faecal pollution in water samples based on viral metagenome analysis
- Supporting the validation of new source tracking tools and evaluating performance against existing methods.
Applicants must have a PhD (or be close to completion/have equivalent experience) in relevant disciplines, and experience with analysis of bacterial and bacteriophage sequence data. Experience in microbial ecology and/or environmental microbiology related to pollution and management of surface waters is also desirable but not essential.
This role is offered on a full time (36.5 hours per week) fixed term basis with a proposed start date of July 2026 for a duration of 24 months.
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 equity 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 and 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're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
Closing Date: 20 May 2026
Department: Education & Research
Salary: £38,784 to £46,049
Research Associate (SS13612) - Bath, BA2 7AY employer: University of Bath
The University of Bath is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that celebrates diversity and fosters collaboration across disciplines. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits including a cycle to work scheme, and a family-friendly environment, the university provides a supportive atmosphere for researchers to thrive in their careers while contributing to impactful projects in environmental science.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate (SS13612) - Bath, BA2 7AY
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Bath or related institutions. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the project details. Familiarise yourself with bacteriophage research and the specific methodologies mentioned in the job description. Showing that you know your stuff will impress the hiring team!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for the job to come to you! Apply through our website and keep an eye on similar roles. The more you put yourself out there, the better your chances of landing that dream position.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate (SS13612) - Bath, BA2 7AY
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Research Associate role. Highlight your relevant experience with bacterial and bacteriophage sequence data, as well as any work in microbial ecology or environmental microbiology. We want to see how your background fits into our project!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this research area and how your skills can contribute to developing novel bacteriophage-based tools. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your enthusiasm!
Showcase Your Team Spirit:Since this role involves collaboration across multiple institutions, make sure to highlight any teamwork experiences you've had. We value a supportive and collegiate environment, so let us know how you thrive in team settings!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the position and our fantastic benefits!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Bath
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of bacteriophage-based tools and viral metagenomics. Familiarise yourself with recent research in microbial ecology and environmental microbiology, especially related to water quality. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also passionate about the field.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience with analysing bacterial and bacteriophage sequence data. Be ready to share specific examples of algorithms or pipelines you've developed in the past. Highlight any relevant projects that demonstrate your ability to tackle similar challenges as those outlined in the job description.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
During the interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the project and the team dynamics. Inquire about the collaboration between the universities and how your role will contribute to the overall goals. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the environment is a good fit for you.
✨Embrace Diversity
Since the University of Bath values diversity and inclusion, be prepared to discuss how your unique background or experiences can contribute to a supportive and collegiate team. Share any experiences that highlight your commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, as this aligns with their values.
