Research Fellow (76900-105)
Vacancy Type/Job category: Research Only
Department: Life Sciences
Salary: £28,695 - £37,394 per annum
Location: University of Warwick, Coventry
Vacancy Overview: Fixed term contract for 12 months.
You will work within the group of Prof. Orkun S Soyer(http://osslab.lifesci.warwick.ac.uk/) towards developing mathematical models and experiments for understanding and manipulating cellular metabolism. The successful candidate for this post will focus on studying cellular metabolism from a bioelectronics perspective. In particular, the post holder will combine engineering of electronic circuits and devices for electrical measurements on cells and interface these with experimental approaches to monitor and genetically alter cellular metabolisms. This approach results from recent findings demonstrating extensive capabilities of microorganisms to interface with external electron acceptor and donors, including circuit-linked cathodes and anodes. Our approach is motivated by a desire to achieve a electronics-biology platform that can allow better understanding and manipulation of cellular metabolism.
It is expected that the post-holder undertake both construction of electronic devices and circuitry and experimental analysis and manipulation of cellular metabolism, as well mathematical and computational modelling of these systems. Thus, the successful candidate should hold a PhD in a relevant discipline, such as physics, electronics, or engineering, and ideally have a background and expertise in both experimental techniques of basic Microbiology and synthetic biology and theoretical techniques of systems and synthetic biology.
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB PURPOSE:
Conduct research projects to engineer a bioelectronics platform for analysing and modulating cellular metabolism. Assist the Project Leader to support the work of the department and develop and enhance its reputation, both internally and externally.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
RESEARCH
• Help establish a sound research base within the department in order to assist the development of specified research objectives.
• Conduct individual research project within the conditions of the contract.
• To present and review research outcomes with the sponsors. If agreed, to prepare results for publication in appropriate journals and other reputable outlets.
• Continually update own knowledge and understanding in field or specialism.
• Translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research productivity.
TEACHING AND LEARNING SUPPORT
• Could be expected to contribute to the teaching and learning programmes in the department.
• Assist in the supervision of student projects and the development of student research skills.
• May be involved in the assessment of student knowledge and supervision of projects.
ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
• Ensure compliance with health and safety in all aspects of work.
• Work within budget constraints.
The duties and responsibilities outlined are not intended to be an exhaustive list but provide guidance on the main aspects of the job. You will be required to be flexible in your duties.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.
Essential Criteria 1
- Good honours degree and possession of (or near submission) a PhD in relevant discipline. a)
Essential Criteria 2
- Proven ability in research and evidence of quality research output in relevant field. a) c)
Essential Criteria 3
- Expertise in basic Microbiology and molecular biology techniques such as culture growth, qPCR and microscopy. a) c)
Essential Criteria 4
- Sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge to help develop the research programme. In particular, expertise in cellular metabolism and electronics. a) c)
Essential Criteria 5
- Good IT skills including Microsoft Office and proven ability to use IT to write technical research papers and presentations a), c), d)
Essential Criteria 6
- Good effective communication (oral and written) skills, presentation and training skills. a) c) d)
Essential Criteria 7
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team. c)
Essential Criteria 8
- Potential to obtain external research funding. a) c)
Essential Criteria 9
- Proven ability to develop mathematical and computational models using common computational tools (e.g. MATLAB, R, Mathematical or computer languages). a), c), d)
Essential Criteria 10
- Experience with electronic circuit and device development a), c), d)
Desirable Criteria 1
- Ability to integrate theoretical and experimental work in research topics within the remit of systems, evolutionary and synthetic biology. a), c), d)
Desirable Criteria 2
- Familiarity with key experimental techniques and equipment, as well as data types common in system and synthetic biology projects (e.g. fluorescent microscopy, molecular biology tools, growth assays, microfluidics). a), c), d)
Further Particulars
If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant on level 5 of the University grade structure (£27,864). Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of the level 6 of the University grade structure (£28,695).
For further information about the School of Life Sciences, please click here.
Warwick Centre for Integrative Synthetic Biology (WISB)
For further information about the WISB, please click here.
The post
At the Soyer group (http://osslab.lifesci.warwick.ac.uk), we are looking to recruit a highly-motivated postdoctoral research assistant to work on understanding and manipulating cellular metabolism through bioelectronics. The project aims to develop electronic circuits and devices that will allow monitoring and analysis of cellular metabolism, as well as its manipulation. The resulting, bioelectronics platform will allow modelling and rationalising cellular metabolism as an electronic circuit and allow its informed manipulation. Our approach is motivated by a desire to achieve synthetic biology through interfacing electronic engineering and cellular dynamics.
The successful candidate is expected to build on our on-going research with anaerobic and autotrophic microorganisms that are shown to interact with external electron sources and sinks including circuit-linked anodes and cathodes. The candiadate should ideally have a background and expertise in both experimental techniques of basic Microbiology and cellular metabolism, theoretical techniques of systems and synthetic biology, and electronics and device engineering. It is expected that the post-holder engages with the construction of electronic devices and circuitry and experimental analysis and manipulation of cellular metabolism, as well mathematical and computational modelling of these systems.
The successful candidate will work directly with Prof. Orkun Soyer and will interact with the rest of his research group. Soyer group is part of the newly established Warwick Integrative Centre for Synthetic Biology (WISB) and as such the successful candidate will be surrounded by a growing synthetic biology community and will have access to state-of-the-art equipment including time lapse microscopy, flow Cytometry, HPLC, robotic liquid handling platforms, and gas/ion chromotagrophy.
Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy:
As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.
Closing Date:23rd November 2015