"Research Fellow (Postdoctoral)"

University of Birmingham - School of Biosciences

Location:	Birmingham
Salary:	£36,636 to £46,049
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Fixed-Term/Contract
Placed On:	23rd March 2026
Closes:	12th April 2026
Job Ref:	107186

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract up to May 2029

Brief Job Description

You will be applying for one of two post-doctoral research assistant positions in the laboratory of Professor David Grainger. You will work in the area of bacterial chromosome biology and gene regulation, using whole genome and molecular approaches. Hence, experience of molecular microbiology is essential. The posts are funded by a Wellcome Discovery award that will focus on understanding how chromosome rearrangements in the bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii give rise to high levels of phenotypic variation that, in turn, can be exploited by the microbe to survive in clinical settings. The project will involve collaboration with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, and teams at the Universities of Oxford and Exeter, who will bring expertise in single molecule and evolutionary biology to the project. It is strongly recommended that you contact Professor Grainger, before applying, to discuss how you might contribute to projects currently running in the lab. Candidates who can bring their own ideas and expertise to the lab will be viewed favourably.

Whilst there are no requirements for a specific set of experimental skills, we are keen to hire a staff member with expertise in protein purification and protein biochemistry. Methodology that you may also have used includes ChIP-seq, RNA-seq (and derivatives thereof), microbial cell culture, cloning, genetic manipulation of bacterial strains, work with bacterial pathogens, and bioinformatics.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• High level analytical capability
• A good publication track record
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to David Grainger, email: d.grainger@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.