Postdoctoral Research Associate

Overview

Environment, Science and Economy

This full-time UKRI funded post is available from 1 May 2026 until 31st December 2027 in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to further the work of the Westra and van Houte research teams on the development of synthetic phage therapy. The successful applicant will be responsible for high-throughput engineering of phage genomes and high-throughput phenotyping assays. The successful applicant will work closely with Postdoctoral Research Fellows and will be part of a larger network of PIs, postdocs and technicians based at the Universities of Manchester and Liverpool.

The post will include developing and optimizing molecular biology protocols for high-throughput phage genome engineering, maintaining a digital record of all experimental procedures, keeping a record of bacterial and phage clones and ensuring they are stored appropriately, preparing materials needed for carrying out experiments, designing and running experiments, organising, analysing and interpreting data and sharing data with the wider team, writing manuscripts about key findings. They will also help to organise a stakeholder workshop focusing on regulation and policy for synthetic phage therapy targeting health stakeholders including doctors, patients, pharmacists, medical regulators and policy makers, such as MHRA and UKHSA.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to design and execute experiments, manage, analyse and interpret data and present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to independently develop and execute cloning and genome engineering strategies and will have excellent organisational skills and communication skills.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly;
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development;
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career;
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy;
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Cornwall.

About the University

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment: We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces. While all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.

Further information

For further information please contact Edze Westra, e-mail E.R.Westra@exeter.ac.uk.