Postdoctoral Research Associate in Microbial Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology

Contract: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (12 months with possible extension)

Closing date: Sunday 1^st September 2024

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business, and industry.

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has an international research reputation and close connection with the professional and industrial world of science, engineering, and technology. 

Detailed Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences as part of the £12 million BBSRC-funded Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre, which brings together scientists and engineers from 10 leading UK institutions, alongside industrial collaborators, in a mission to enhance and develop the natural abilities of microorganisms to cleaning up our planet.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Use microbiological and molecular biology tools to conduct work on the design and development of recombinant microorganisms for the overexpression of biosurfactants, and optimise production using a benchtop bioreactor system
• Tasks will involve scientific research, and analysis and interpretation of data
• Communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at conferences
• The successful candidate will be expected to be independent, conduct and lead their own experiments whilst also supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students
• Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with other postdocs and external collaborators involved in the project, and to write up project reports as needed
• Demonstrate initiative in making routine decisions to manage and achieve project deliverables and deadlines
• The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities, with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve for example interviews, talks for the public and preparation of experimental demonstrations

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant discipline (or close to successful completion)

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Strong theoretical understanding and experimental background in environmental and microbial biotechnology, recombinant DNA techniques
• Experience in microbial culturing, batch culturing and working with a bioreactor/fermenter
• Experience with environmental chemical pollutants and bioremediation
• Appropriate publication record for stage in career
• Evidence of research ability: problem solving, flexibility
• Ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports / papers and by oral presentation
• Ability to relocate to Edinburgh and start working on short notice, given time pressure of the funded project
• Ability to travel for project meetings or work on short periods at a collaborating institute(s)
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Evidence of excellent administrative and project management skills

For all criteria, further details and how to apply:

enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/3903/?utm_medium=jobshare 

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers disc.hw.ac.uk.

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