Graduate Research Assistant

Opportunita; Exeter; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Staff benefits

Job summary

University of Exeter invites applications for a Graduate Research Assistant in the Living Systems Institute. The role supports Dr Adam Monier and focuses on bacterial metabolism and ecological interactions, combining lab work with bioinformatic analyses.

You will culture bacteria, perform molecular biology techniques, and contribute to genomic studies; the position is 12 months, Royal Society-funded, with competitive staff benefits and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• MSc level education in Biology, Microbiology, or Bioinformatics
• Practical experience in molecular biology techniques
• Experience with bioinformatic analyses and comparative genomics

Responsibilities

• Culture diazotrophic bacteria and run growth experiments under varying nitrogen regimes
• Apply molecular biology techniques (nucleic acid extraction, PCR, cloning)
• Perform comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses of nitrogen-related genes
• Prepare results for publication and presentation

Skills

Molecular biology

Bioinformatics

Bacterial culture

PCR

Cloning

Nucleic acid extraction

Gel electrophoresis

Comparative genomics

Phylogenetics

Aseptic technique

Education

MSc in Biology

MSc in Microbiology

MSc in Bioinformatics

Job description

# Graduate Research AssistantUniversity of Exeter · University Exeter, United KingdomPosted 11 Nov 2026Apply on official website Opens careers.exeter.ac.ukSalary: £34,630Application deadline: November 18, 2026 7 days leftEmployment type: Full timeSource details may be limited. Not stated by the source: contract duration.## At a glanceGenerated summaryThe University of Exeter is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant for a full-time, fixed-term position funded by the Royal Society until November 2027. Based in Exeter, United Kingdom, this role supports Dr Adam Monier within the Living Systems Institute. The successful candidate will investigate bacterial metabolism and ecological interactions, combining laboratory experiments with bioinformatic analyses. Key responsibilities include culturing bacteria, applying molecular biology techniques such as PCR and cloning, and conducting comparative genomic studies. Applicants must hold an MSc level education in Biology or related fields, demonstrating practical experience in molecular biology and bioinformatics. The position offers a salary of £34,630 and includes comprehensive staff benefits, including generous parental leave policies. The university emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and academic excellence, providing a supportive environment for researchers to pursue intellectual interests and contribute to groundbreaking scientific discoveries.Generated from stored offer content. Always confirm details in the official posting.## DetailsPosition type: Research assistantDate posted: November 11, 2026Contact email: [e-mail]## About this positionOfficial opportunity text, in English · about 5 min read* **Graduate Research Assistant**This Royal Society-funded post is available from mid-November 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, for 12 months.This post is offered as a contract and is funded by the Royal Society until 15 November 2027.In line with the University’s fair employment for all principles, any further funding opportunities identified will be reviewed and discussed during the contract.* Transform Your Career and Help Shape a Greener, Healthier, and Fairer Future Join the University of Exeter, a top 200 Russell Group university (QS & THE World University Rankings 2025), excelling in teaching (triple Gold rating, TEF 2023) and leading groundbreaking research in the beautiful southwest of England. We are committed to understanding different cultures and perspectives, supporting diverse leadership, and striving for social justice. We encourage applications from all groups underrepresented in our community, including racially minoritised individuals and those with disabilities. Our inclusive, merit based recruitment processes seek to embrace a diverse set of experiences to ensure colleagues feel supported equitably. With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 140 countries, we foster a culture where everyone can thrive. You can read more about our current accreditations and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here, including our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. **What we can offer you:** **How we can help** If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch with us at [e-mail]. You can request reasonable adjustments within your application or by contacting us. You can also choose to be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme and find out here how this is managed during our recruitment and onboarding process.* Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines;* Support teams that understand the University wide 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 supports 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 Devon/Cornwall.### About Us### **The Role****Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (Living Systems Institute)**The Faculty wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant to support the work of Dr Adam Monier. The successful applicant will investigate how bacteria, including nitrogen-fixing diazotrophs, take up and metabolise organic nitrogen, combining laboratory experiments with bioinformatic analyses, as part of a Royal Society-funded research programme on microbial metabolism and ecological interactions.The post will include culturing bacterial strains, including diazotrophs, and running growth experiments under different nitrogen regimes; applying molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acid extraction, PCR, qPCR and cloning; building and testing genetic constructs using synthetic biology approaches; carrying out comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses of nitrogen-related genes across microbial genomes and metagenomes; and writing up results for publication and presentation.### **About You**The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information orally, in writing and electronically, and support the preparation of proposals and applications to external bodies.Applicants will be educated to MSc level in Biology, Microbiology, Bioinformatics or a related field of study, or possess equivalent research experience, and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to demonstrate practical experience of standard molecular biology techniques (such as nucleic acid extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis), of bioinformatic analyses (such as comparative genomics and phylogenetics), and of culturing microorganisms using aseptic technique. Experience of working with diazotrophic bacteria, or of genetic engineering or synthetic biology approaches in bacteria, would be an advantage.Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.### **Further information**Please contact Dr Adam Monier, [e-mail]