Senior Research Technician (112360)

University of Warwick; Coventry; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Warwick invites applications for a senior research technician to support the ERC Advanced Grant RHYTHMS within Professor Gary Bending's group in the School of Life Sciences. You will establish and maintain plant and soil microcosms, run microbiological and molecular analyses, coordinate sampling and manage experimental metadata.

This role also involves preparing samples for sequencing and assisting with environmental measurements.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree or equivalent knowledge.
• Experience with microorganisms and planning experiments.
• Methodical approach to recording results.
• Ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team.
• Training and opportunities to develop new skills will be available.

Responsibilities

• Set up and maintain plant-microbe experiments in controlled environments and in the field.
• Conduct microbiological, molecular and environmental analyses.
• Coordinate sampling programmes and manage experimental samples and data.
• Lead organisation of experimental metadata and research records.
• Prepare DNA/RNA extractions, PCR/qPCR and samples for sequencing and analysis.
• Support health and safety documentation and data management.

Skills

Microbiology experiments

Molecular biology

Data management

Experiment planning

Team collaboration

Environmental sampling

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent knowledge

Tools

PCR/qPCR

DNA/RNA extraction

Sequencing preparation

Job description

Closing Date: Thursday, 19 November 2026, 11:59 PM (UK).

About the Role

A senior technician is required to provide support for the European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant RHYTHMS, ‘Rhizosphere Rhythms: Unravelling Diurnal Microbiome Dynamics and Their Role in Plant-Soil Interactions’, within Professor Gary Bending’s research group in the School of Life Sciences. The research explores how plant circadian rhythms influence rhizosphere microbial communities, nitrogen cycling and interactions with bacteriophages.

You will work closely with postdoctoral researchers, students and collaborators to set-up and maintain plant-microbe experiments in controlled environments and the field, undertake microbiological, molecular and environmental analyses, coordinate sampling programmes, and lead the organisation and management of experimental samples and associated data.

You will help establish and maintain plant and soil microcosms, synthetic microbial communities and controlled-environment experiments, as well as support field trials. You will also help organise carefully timed sampling campaigns. Your laboratory work will include microbial culture, sample processing and quantification, extraction and quality assessment of DNA and RNA, PCR/qPCR and preparation of material for downstream sequencing and chemical / metabolite analyses. You may also contribute to measurements of root-zone physico-chemical conditions and nitrogen cycling, and to the organisation and preliminary analysis of microbiome and environmental datasets. You will take a lead role in maintaining and organising samples, experimental metadata and research records.

You will join the Bending group/team in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick University.

Any requests for further information about the role can be directed to Prof. Gary Bending ([e-mail]).

We and the wider University of Warwick environment offer substantial opportunities for professional development including regular opportunities to attend international conferences.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description (link here).

About You

We are seeking to appoint a senior research technician to join Professor Gary Bending’s RHYTHMS research team in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick. Funded by a European Research Council Advanced Grant, the project will investigate how daily rhythms in plants influence the composition and activity of microbes around their roots, and the implications for nutrient cycling and sustainable agriculture.

The successful candidate should have a relevant degree or equivalent knowledge and practical experience, expertise working with microorganisms and a methodical approach to planning experiments and recording results.

You should be comfortable working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Experience of plant growth experiments, environmental sampling, molecular biology, research data management and preparation of health and safety documentation will be advantageous. Training and opportunities to develop new skills will be available.

This is an opportunity to contribute to ambitious, internationally relevant research at the interface of plant biology, microbial ecology and soil science, while developing a broad range of specialist technical and research-management skills.

£31,861 to £35,302 per annum.