Postdoctoral Research Associate in Microbial Genomics

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in England is seeking a creative postdoctoral researcher in microbial genomics. The role involves analyzing large clinical datasets, contributing to public health, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team. Ideal candidates will hold a PhD or have significant relevant experience. The position is full-time for 2 years, offering numerous employee benefits including paid holiday and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

38 days' paid holiday

Generous pension schemes

Travel discounts

Professional development opportunities

Free entry to the Botanic Gardens and University colleges

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering reproducible research through publication.
• Ability to develop ideas and methodologies independently.
• Experience in analysing large datasets.

Responsibilities

• Analyse large longitudinally collected sequencing datasets.
• Produce outputs that contribute to public health.
• Work within an interdisciplinary team.

Skills

Pathogen genomic research

Data analysis

Teamwork

Independent research

Education

PhD in a relevant scientific subject

MSc with substantial relevant experience

Job description

Overview

We are seeking to appoint a creative, highly motivated and talented postdoctoral researcher in microbial genomics to work within the Modernising Medical Microbiology (MMM) unit at the University of Oxford. You will be joining a highly interdisciplinary team of approximately 40 clinicians, computational biologists, statisticians, software engineers and molecular biologists.

Role and context

You will be embedded within the "Mitigating Gram-negative infections" theme in our Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), a major collaboration with other academic partners and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The aim of this theme is to inform interventions to prevent and/or mitigate the impact of E. coli and Klebsiella spp. infections, including those associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Responsibilities

As part of this post there is an opportunity to analyse large longitudinally collected sequencing datasets (both Illumina and Oxford Nanopore) of clinical isolates that can be linked to electronic healthcare record data and/or metagenomic data. These unique datasets provide a significant opportunity to enhance our understanding of these common and serious causes of infection, produce high quality academic outputs and quickly translate findings through our relationships with the NHS, public health bodies and the private sector.

This is an exciting role, with the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary team as part of the wider network of researchers within the HPRU. We are looking for a candidate who is motivated to drive forward the analyses of some of the diverse datasets that we have available, producing outputs that contribute to the health of patients and the public.

Contract and hours

This position is fixed term for 2 years and full-time (part-time working will be considered minimum of 30 hours per week, 0.8 FTE).

Qualifications

You will hold a PhD (or close to completion) in a relevant scientific subject though we would consider a very strong candidate with an MSc and substantial relevant experience. You will have a proven track record of developing and delivering reproducible pathogen genomic research through to peer-reviewed publication. You will be able to work independently, developing and driving forward your own ideas and applying new methodologies where necessary whilst also working within a team environment to ensure that deliverables are met within agreed timelines.

About NDM and benefits

The Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine (NDM) is one of the largest departments of the University of Oxford and is part of the Medical Sciences Division, with responsibility for a significant part of the teaching of clinical students within the Medical School.

Benefits

University employees enjoy 38 days' paid holiday, generous pension schemes, travel discounts, and a variety of professional development opportunities. Our range of other employee benefits and discounts also includes free entry to the Botanic Gardens and University colleges, and discounts at University museums. See https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits