Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environmental Engineering and Microbiology

Durham University; North East; Híbrido; GBP 32.000 - 46.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Durham University’s Biosciences department invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environmental Engineering and Microbiology to join CARMA, the Co-selection of Antimicrobial Resistance by Metals Alliance. The role focuses on harmonised environmental sampling across northern England and international partners.

You will design sampling plans, supervise sample collection and processing (culture-based microbiology, metal and water chemistry analyses, DNA extraction), and build

Formación

• Postdoctoral level research experience in environmental engineering or microbiology.
• Experience in coordinating multi-institutional research projects is advantageous.
• Ability to design and implement environmental sampling plans.

Responsabilidades

• Lead harmonised environmental sampling at river sites in Northern England.
• Coordinate sampling with international partners to harmonise methods.
• Oversee sample collection and processing (culture-based microbiology, metal and water chemistry analyses, DNA extraction).
• Build a well-organised project archive and database for data sharing among partners.
• Act as interface between field sampling and bioinformatics, modelling, economics, and clinical teams.

Conocimientos

Metagenomics

Bioinformatics

Statistics

Modelling

Descripción del empleo

Organisation/Company DURHAM UNIVERSITY Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 24 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Role and Department

Biosciences is one of the very best departments in the UK (2nd Guardian 2027, 4th Complete University Guide 2027) and it has an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and the employability of our students. The department provides a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment.

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environmental Engineering and Microbiology to join CARMA - the Co-selection of Antimicrobial Resistance by Metals Alliance. CARMA is a large, transdisciplinary UKRI-funded research programme investigating how metal pollution in rivers and wastewater co-selects for antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and what this means for human health, environmental regulation and intervention. It is a collaboration between colleagues in the UK and India, bringing together Durham University, Imperial College London, the University of Birmingham, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Pondicherry University, with environmental engineers, microbiologists, infection specialists, modellers, economists, genomic experts, patients and practitioners.

This post is based in the Department of Biosciences but has substantial engineering content, focused on water quality, water chemistry and environmental measurement. The post-holder will lead the design and delivery of harmonised environmental sampling at an array of river sites in Northern England, and work with partners in India who are carrying out parallel sampling on the Ganges, Yamuna and near Chennai, so that samples are collected and analysed in the same way at every site.

Working with Professor David Graham and Dr Marcos Quintela-Baluja, the post-holder will develop a structured sampling plan with our Indian partners; oversee sample collection and processing, including culture-based microbiology, metal and water chemistry analyses, DNA extraction and preparation of samples for genomic and metagenomic sequencing; and build a well-organised project archive and database that makes the field data available to all partners. A central part of the role is to act as the interface between field sampling and the project's bioinformatics, modelling, economics and clinical teams, turning field observations into consistent, well-documented datasets that those colleagues can use. Detailed bioinformatic analysis will be carried out by a second PDRA and by partners elsewhere in the project. Therefore, the role requires working knowledge of metagenomics, bioinformatics, and statistics; modelling and economics can be learned on the job.

The post reports to Professor David Graham and is co-managed by Dr Marcos Quintela-Baluja. Hybrid working is possible. Because the role involves laboratory and field work, the post-holder will normally be expected on site in Durham three to four days a week, although we are happy to discuss flexible arrangements. A full driving licence is required to reach field sites.