Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Bioinformatics

FTC until 30/10/2025

Research Assistant (Masters obtained)

Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £28,929 per annum to £30,440 per annum 

Research Assistant (close to completing PhD)

Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £34,450 per annum

Research Fellow ( PhD obtained)

Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £37,337 per annum

We are seeking a passionate and skilled researcher to join our groundbreaking research on climate-informed food safety and pathogen impact modeling at Cranfield University.

About the Role

You will join the Bioinformatics genomic informatics team as part of the Horizon-Europe’s Ambrosia project. The project aims to enable for the first time a holistic, systemic approach to food safety risk assessment across the supply chain in view of climate change models with the use of digital technologies, including AI.

This role leads research on climate-informed impact models for enteric pathogens in fresh produce and mycotoxin contamination in cereals. Responsibilities include climate-controlled experiments, RNA-Seq transcriptomic profiling, and identifying key mycotoxin gene clusters. Using integrated climate and transcriptomic data, you will develop predictive models for mycotoxin levels. The role also involves collaborating with international partners, contributing to teaching activities, and disseminating research findings through high-impact publications and conferences.

About You

You will have a PhD (or near completion) in Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related field. For a Research Assistant, an MSc in Bioinformatics or a related field with proven genomic and transcriptomic analysis experience is required. Expertise in growth chamber experiments, RNA-Seq analysis (assembly, differential expression, annotation), and molecular biology techniques is essential. Strong knowledge of Fusarium species, mycotoxin contamination, high-throughput sequencing, and scripting (Python, R) is required. Experience with predictive modeling and integrating climate and biological data is a advantageous.

About Us

The Bioinformatics Group at Cranfield is a computer-based group with research focusing on the development and application of computational methods and AI in order to unravel the complexity of biological systems. We run and administer our in-house high-performance-computing facility for NGS data analysis, including de-novo assembly, global transcriptomics, and genotyping. We also have a long track record in data science and machine learning.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                     

For an informal discussion, contact Prof. Fady Mohareb, Head of Bioinformatics: f.mohareb@cranfield.ac.uk.

For details, email peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk quoting reference 5007.

Application deadline: 28/02/2025

Advert information