Virome dynamics in wastewater across urban, rural, and high-risk settings: molecular detection, mutational impact and host risk.

Glasgow University; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8 weeks annual leave

Career development plan

Campus Sport access

Job summary

Glasgow University’s MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research invites applications for a Doctoral Candidate (DC) to work on Work Packages 1 within the DETECTIVE MSCA training programme. The project aims to train experts in data-driven virology, epidemiology and AI-enabled analysis to anticipate and respond to viral threats.

The selected DC12 will work under supervision of Dr Ana da Silva Filipe, collaborate with international partners, and benefit from structured training schools and

Qualifications

• MSCA Eligibility Requirements include Mobility Rule and Doctoral Degree Requirement.
• Applicants must not hold a doctoral degree at recruitment.

Responsibilities

• Work on Work Packages 1 within the DETECTIVE project.
• Contribute to methodological development for virology, epidemiology and AI analyses.
• Collaborate with supervisors and international partners to deliver project milestones.

Job description

Organisation/Company Glasgow University Department Centre for Virus Research Research Field Medical sciences » Health sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 8 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101312731 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

About DETECTIVE

DETECTIVE (Data driven Excellence in Training of Epidemiological, Clinical, Technological and Innovative Virus Experts) is an EU-funded MSCA training programme aimed at developing new, data-driven methods to anticipate, detect and respond to emerging viral threats at an earlier stage than before. Coordinated by Prof. Dr. Heli Harvala, Professor of Virology at the University of Turku in Finland, the network brings together 8 academic institutions and 14 associated partners from across Europe.

Within DETECTIVE, researchers will develop innovative methods used to detect emerging pathogens earlier, understand who is most at risk, and translate the complex multi-source data into real-time, evidence-based decisions and clinical applications. The project's overall goal is to establish a unified, end-to-end epidemic-intelligence framework, enhancing Europe’s capacity to respond to threats quickly and in a coordinated manner. This will be achieved by an integrated approach combining virology, evolutionary genomics, epidemiology, diagnostics and AI-based analytical methods.

Background of Project DC12

Emerging and re‑emerging viruses continue to pose major threats to global health. Wastewater surveillance offers a unique opportunity to monitor viral circulation at the population level, providing early warning of outbreaks and the emergence of novel pathogens or variants. This project will combine viral genomics, next‑generation sequencing and artificial intelligence to develop innovative approaches for detecting and characterising WHO priority viruses in wastewater and understanding how viral communities change across different environments and seasons.

Job Description

At the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, DETECTIVE is looking for a Doctoral Candidate (DC) to work on Work Packages 1. As DC12, your objectives are:

• Develop a sequencing‑based PCR assay for targeting WHO priority viruses
• Benchmark assay performance using a viral agnostic probe‑based assay
• Characterise the wastewater virome across multiple settings including urban, rural, hospitals and airports across different seasons.
• Test feasibly of detection of mutations of interest such as vaccine escape and drug resistance
• Define AI tools for inferring the virus ability to infect specific hosts and identify potential zoonosis

You will be supervised by Dr Ana da Silva Filipe, with additional support from Dr Katherine Smollett and Dr Joseph Hughes (University of Glasgow). Secondment opportunities and training will be provided through collaborations with Dr Sami Oikarinen (Tampere University, Finland) and Dr Javier Martin (MHRA, UK).

About the CVR

The MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research ( CVR ) is home to an internationally leading critical mass of virologists, entirely focused on the study of human viral diseases and viruses at the human‑animal interface. Established in 2010 as a partnership between the University and the Medical Research Council (MRC), the CVR contributes to national virology capability and supports the global response to viruses and the diseases they cause. The CVR has excellent facilities for conducting research in molecular biology and virology located in a purpose‑built research building at the Garscube campus of the University of Glasgow , including high containment laboratories, purpose built Viral Genomics suite and Viral Bioinformatics expertise. The CVR is a core component of the School of Infection and Immunity within the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow. The University of Glasgow is a world top 100 University with a rich history of academic excellence and innovation since 1451, with a diverse community of students from over 140 countries. https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/cvr/

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

• A contract with the University of Glasgow for 3 years (probation of 6 months).
• The opportunity to work on large‑scale and in‑house research with motivated colleagues.
• Interdisciplinary network‑wide training schools (one week each):
  1) Foundations in Virology, Bioinformatics and Epidemiology
  2) Advanced Integration of Scientific, Diagnostic and Public Health Virology
  3) Translational Virology and connecting Academia, Clinical Practice and Public Health for Pandemic Preparedness.
• Individually tailored career development plan and personal empowerment programme.
• Access to the Campus Sport Services at a reduced rate price.
• A competitive salary and comprehensive employment benefits in line with MSCA Doctoral Network requirements.
• A holiday allowance of 8 weeks annual leave, including public holidays.

Eligibility criteria

MSCA Eligibility Requirements

Mobility Rule- Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the United Kingdom for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment (1 March 2027).

Doctoral Degree Requirement- Applicants must not hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute MRC University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research Country United Kingdom City Glasgow Postal Code G61 1QH Street 464 Bearsden Road Geofield