Research Assistant

Job Description:

The School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast, is currently seeking to appoint an exceptional candidate to the post of Research Assistant.   

The School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast is currently seeking to appoint an exceptional candidate to the post of Research Assistant. The appointee will join the AMR & One Health Lab and the Huws group, two interdisciplinary groups working in the disciplines of Microbiology, Animal Science, and Bioinformatics.  

The successful candidate will primarily work within a multidisciplinary team undertaking research focused on combatting antimicrobial resistance in bovine mastitis through alternative non-antibiotic strategies, as part of a BBSRC Canada iPAP funded project. The post holder will work with project partners at the University of Calgary and with our industrial Partner RAFT Solutions to formulate novel antibiotic-free intramammary antimicrobial peptide (AMP) formulations (IAFs), evaluate their efficacy in the treatment of bovine mastitis and assess the subsequent effect of IAFs on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) burden in milk samples. They will also provide additional assistance in project work, developing a core outcome set related to characterising the natural populations and resistomes of milk microbiomes. In general, the postholder will be an active member of the research project/team assisting in the planning and delivery of research activity within a BBSRC Funded UK-Canada International Partnering Award Plus Scheme. Priority will be given to candidates with research interests and expertise in microbiology, bioactive compound formulation and testing methodologies, with some bioinformatic experience.    

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate you have:

• A Degree or equivalent in a relevant area (biological sciences, microbiology, animal science veterinary science).
• At least 1 years research experience to include:
• Experience of antimicrobial development and efficacy testing against pathogens
• Experience in antimicrobial resistance surveillance and quantification research
• Demonstrable computational or laboratory experience relevant to microbiology, specifically 16S rDNA microbiome analysis
• Experience of using programming skills in appropriate languages and software e.g. R.
• Some experience of peer-reviewed publication in a relevant area of research.
• Some experience of supervising undergraduates and/or postgraduate students.
• Experience of presenting to the scientific community i.e. conference talks.  

Please note the above are not an exhaustive list. For further information about the role including the essential and desirable criteria, click on the 'Candidate Information' link below.  

This is a fixed term, part time (0.6 FTE [22.2hrs]) post, available for 18 months, or available until 30/09/2024, whichever is sooner. 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.   

At Queen’s our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a staff member you will become part of a vibrant organisational culture, which will provide you with the opportunity to achieve your full potential and enhance your career through a continuous focus on learning and development.   

We offer an excellent employment package that includes:

• Great terms & conditions
• Pension schemes
• Flexible working by enabling you to design your working week in collaboration with your manager through a blend of remote and office working                              
• Family-friendly initiatives
• Career development opportunities
• Support for health & mental wellbeing
• Generous holiday entitlement of 8.4 weeks a year (made up of 23 days annual leave, 10 closure days and 9 bank holidays)  

Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We have created an inclusive culture by establishing staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.   

We also subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI in addition to Athena Swan. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit: www.qub.ac.uk/diversity; www.qub.ac.uk/qgi and www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/StaffNetworks/.  

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Katherina Theodoridou at k.theodoridou@qub.ac.uk.  

Candidate Information
Attractive reward package
About the School
Further information for international applicants