Application closing date: 28/09/2020
Salary: £28,331 per annum.
Job category/type: Research

Job description

This is a collaborative ‘US Ireland’ project with iCRAG in Dublin and CBBG in USA that will develop applications of microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP). This is a form of bioprecipitation where microbes naturally precipitate out carbonate cements using atmospheric CO2 that binds loose material into a solid. At QUB we are interested in monitoring this at the laboratory and pilot scale using novel ways of measuring the microbial activity. At QUB we are interested in monitoring this at the laboratory and pilot scale and molecular and Omic approaches for microbial community characterisation with stable isotope analysis to identify what microbes are actively taking part in the process. The project will work with partners (iCRAG Dublin, CBBG USA) who will bring expertise from other disciplines to help develop the lab scale experiments. The benefits of the proposed research will enable reduced CO₂ ground stabilization and immobilization processes/methods, and bring the work to an international audience of engineering contractors, consultants and regulators.

The successful candidate will have substantial opportunities to build their career, including industry led research programme, commercialisation opportunities, travel to research conferences / partners and for dissemination activities.

This position is available on a fixed-term contract basis from 1 October 2020 to 30 Sept 2023.

The successful candidate must have:

• Have or be about to obtain a PhD in Environmental / Molecular Microbiology 
• Demonstrable knowledge of molecular and Omic approaches for microbial community characterisation 
• Practical experience in molecular microbial ecology approaches, use of bioinformatic pipelines, data analysis and visualization skills for metagenomics datasets 
• Proven experience of research methods and techniques used in established research programmes 
• Record of accomplishment appropriate to career stage  

For full job details and essential/desirable criteria please refer to the candidate information link on our website by clicking apply. For further information or assistance contact The Resourcing Team, People and Culture, Queen's University Belfast, BT7 1NN. Telephone (028) 9097 3044 or email on resourcing@qub.ac.uk   

Queen’s University Belfast is a driver of innovation based on our talented, multinational workforce. Throughout the University, our academics are collaborating across disciplines to develop new discoveries and insights, working with outside agencies and institutions on projects of international significance. We are connected and networked with strategic partnerships across the world, helping us to expand our impact on wider society locally, nationally and globally. The University is committed to attracting, retaining and developing the best global talent within an environment that enables them to realise their full potential. 

We are a leader in gender equality and diversity, and are one of the UK’s most successful universities in the Athena SWAN initiative which promotes gender equality and career progression.   

We are ranked 1^st in the UK for knowledge transfer partnerships, (Innovate UK) 9^th in the UK for University facilities (Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2018) and 14^th in the UK for research quality (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019).

Based in Belfast, a modern capital city, our beautiful campus is surrounded by abundant acres of parkland and is renowned as one of the safest and affordable cities in the UK. The choice of local Schools from pre-nursery upwards are some of the best available, and lovers of the outdoors can enjoy any number of activities from rowing and kayaking to top class golf among many others. We are immensely proud of what our city and our University will offer you.

Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

Candidate Information 
About the School
Further Information for International Applicants
Note to EEA Applicants on Brexit