The Department of Genetics and Genome Biology are looking to appoint a Research Associate to investigate the importance of air pollution in promoting bacterial-host interaction.
Our interdisciplinary research shows that air-borne particulate pollutants impact directly on bacteria to potentiate infection, irrespective of the effect of pollutants on the host. We found that physical interaction of bacteria with particulate pollutants result in unusual patterns of gene expression, increasing colonisation of abiotic and biotic surfaces including the respiratory tract. However, understanding of how air pollutants alter bacterial interaction with the human respiratory tract is severely lacking.
The aim of this project is to increase understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in the relationship between bacterial pathogens and respiratory tract health.
You will have a PhD in Microbial Genetics (awarded or submitted) as well as evidence of contribution to peer-reviewed journal papers. You will have extensive experience working with bacteria, as well as specialist knowledge of bacterial physiology, especially adaptive responses to environmental particulate pollutants and anaerobic growth conditions. Your knowledge will also consist of molecular microbiology, including host-bacterial interaction. Alongside this, you will have experience of working with advanced imaging technology, clinical samples and have extensive experience with human tissue culture.
To be successful in this role, you will need to have proven ability of training and supervision of new members of the lab, including undergraduate and PhD students and work experience trainees as well as evidence of research productivity.
Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Julie Morrissey at [email protected].
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We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Full-time, fixed term for 2 years