Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow

This new full-time post is available from 1 February 2025 on a fixed-term basis until 31 July 2026.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit either a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to support the work of Daniel Padfield. This Medical Research Foundation funded post is available from 1^st February 2025 to 31^st July 2026 for 18 months. The successful applicant will participate in a project entitled “Will climate warming worsen the problem of antibiotic resistance?” and collect data on the links between temperature and antibiotic resistance. The main objective of the research is to collect high-resolution data to understand how plasmid transfer, the cost of carrying resistance, and the impact of antibiotics changes across temperature.

The post will include conducting and analysing evolution and ecology experiments on microbes and plasmids. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting a range of phenotypic assays (e.g. plasmid conjugation assays, growth curve assays to measure dose-response curves, determining plasmid cost), and extracting DNA from cultures and soil for metagenomics sequencing following evolution in the presence and absence of antibiotics at different temperatures.

About you

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion for Associate) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in microbiology and molecular lab work. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in microbial evolution and ecology and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. Applicants will have demonstrable skills in running large, complex microbiology experiments, potentially including working with plasmids, and have proven proficiency in programming and statistics. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research.
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly.
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development.
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career.
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy.
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Cornwall.

Further information

For further information please contact Daniel Padfield, e-mail d.padfield@exeter.ac.uk.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.

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