Research Associate - Phage Production Lead

University of Leicester; Leicester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Leicester is seeking a research post-holder within the Becky Mayer Centre for Phage Research. This full-time role, which offers opportunities for impactful translational science, involves establishing scalable production of phages and engaging with both industry and academic partners. Candidates should hold (or be nearing completion of) a PhD and demonstrate relevant hands-on experience. The position offers competitive salary and professional development in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary package

Excellent pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Opportunities for career development

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in scaling up microbial product production, ideally including viruses or protein complexes.
• Knowledge of GMP processes relevant to phage production.
• Solid track record of producing high-quality research outputs.

Responsibilities

• Establish and optimise the pipeline for scalable phage production.
• Work collaboratively with researchers in industry and academia.
• Independently achieve defined milestones in the research programme.

Skills

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Education

PhD in relevant discipline

Job description

About the role

The post-holder will be based within the Becky Mayer Centre for Phage Research at the University of Leicester.

With the rise of antimicrobial resistance, novel treatments are desperately needed. Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that attack bacterial cells and offer the potential as therapeutics to treat pathogenic bacterial infections.

Your role will be to establish and optimise the pipeline for scalable phage production to produce high quality and high titre phage. You will work collaboratively with researchers in industry and academia, and independently as part of a research team to achieve defined milestones and produce high quality research as part of the wider programme.

About you

You will hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in a relevant discipline and bring hands-on experience of scaling up microbial product production, ideally including viruses or protein complexes. Your knowledge of GMP processes, coupled with your ability to problem-solve and work both independently and within a team, will be essential. You should also have a solid track record of producing high-quality research outputs and be enthusiastic about contributing to impactful translational science.

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made toProf Martha Clokie or Assoc Prof Andy Millard, Centre for Phage Research,[e-mail]

Applications for job share will be considered.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be foundhere

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community ofCitizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local communitythrough our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusivethrough our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Vacancy terms

Full-time, or job share considered, fixed term contract until 31 March 2027