Research Fellow

**Position Details**

Department of Microbes, Infections and Microbiomes

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2028

Closing date: 2nd December 2024

This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager.

**Background**

This exciting BBSRC-funded project aims to mechanistically characterise the fitness costs associated with vancomycin resistance in the Gram-positive opportunistic pathogens Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. The Research Fellow will be a member of the group of Prof Willem van Schaik at the Institute of Microbiology and Infection, and the School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology of the University of Birmingham.

**Role Summary**

Work within the research grant, in which activities will include the generation of mutants, and functional genomics approaches (RNA-seq and Tn-seq), to quantify the fitness costs of vancomycin resistance in E. faecalis and E. faecium and to mechanistically characterise how these species minimise these costs. The Research Fellow will lead on the analysis and interpretation of research findings and results, and draft manuscripts describing the data.

**Main Duties**

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
- Analyse and interpret data and troubleshoot problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Disseminate research findings through publications, research seminars and conferences
- Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate
- Provide guidance, as required, to support staff who may be assisting with the research
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods for the study of Enterococcus
- Undertake management/administration arising from research, including drafting of risk assessments and COSHH forms.
- Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University.
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

**Person Specification**
- Undergraduate degree in biological or biomedical sciences, and a PhD degree in the field of microbiology.
- Significant experience with molecular microbiology is required, ideally in Gram-positive bacteria, including the generation of mutants.
- An interest in, or experience with, the bioinformatic analysis of microbial (functional) genomics data is desirable.
- High level analytical capability
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
- Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research projectKnowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Further particulars can be found here

**We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy **. **You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone **on our website **.