"Research Fellow"

Organisation:

Cranfield University

Faculty or Department:

Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Based at:

Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire

Hours of work:

37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.

Contract type:

Fixed term contract

Fixed Term Period:

Until 31 October 2027

Salary:

Full time starting salary (if PhD close to completion) is normally in the range of £34,450 per annum; Full time starting salary (if PhD obtained) is normally in the range of £37,337 per annum

Apply by:

03/02/2026

Role Description

We welcome applications from a Research Fellow with a strong passion for and experience in biosensing, microfluidics, microbiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The successful candidate will join our Advanced Sensors team and contribute to the One Health Environmental Sensingproject, which focuses on the development of novel sensors to enhance the understanding of multi-drug resistance and track antimicrobial resistance using a One Health approach.

About the Role

The postholder’s primary responsibility is to conduct cutting-edge research on environmental sensor development for monitoring pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes, utilising state-of-the-art facilities in the Advanced Sensors Laboratory at Cranfield University. This will involve cutting-edge tools, including CRISPR/Cas diagnostics, paper-based microfluidics, high-throughput single-cell analysis using droplet-based microfluidics, in collaboration with Harvard University and industrial partners. The successful candidate will be working with Professors Zhugen Yang and Frederic Coulon in Cranfield, and they are likely to be seconded to a partner University for collaborative study, subject to progress.

Cranfield University has a proud reputation for its research on the science, engineering and management of water, and we have been driving innovation for over 40 years. You will contribute a major UKRI-funded programme, tackling one of the most urgent global health challenges. The successful candidate will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary collaboration bringing together leading expertise in biosensing, microfluidics, microbiology, and environmental health. You will contribute to the delivery of Cranfield University’s research portfolio in the Advanced Sensors Laboratory for Water-Environment-Health, led by Professor Zhugen Yang.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a transformative UKRI-funded research programme addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges, in collaboration with leading experts in the areas of biosensing and microfluidics, microbiology, and environmental health.

About You

You will hold a doctoral degree (or be near completion) in biosensing, microfluidics, environmental science, microbiology or a related discipline. You will have demonstrable experience with experimental skill sets, including sensor development, wastewater surveillance, or reverse inference modelling for source tracking. You will bring laboratory expertise in designing experiments, handling advanced instruments, and troubleshooting. Collaboration and mentoring within interdisciplinary teams are also desirable.

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Professor Zhugen Yang, Professor of Biosensing and Environmental Health, on (T): +44 (0) 1234 758310 or (E): zhugen.yang@cranfield.ac.uk

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 5183.

Closing date for receipt of applications:3 February 2026