"Research Fellow"

Location: St Andrews

Salary: £38,784 to £41,064 per annum.

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 27th February 2026

Closes: 31st March 2026

Job Ref: 464961

Start Date: 01 July 2026.

Fixed Term: for 3 Years.

Applications are sought for a committed Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work with Dr Andreas Haag on an MRC-funded research project investigating interactions between mobile genetic elements in the clinically important bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus.

The postholder will undertake experimental research to determine how mobile genetic elements interact with one another and with their bacterial host, and how these interactions influence horizontal gene transfer, host responses, and pathogenicity-related phenotypes. The work will be conducted using in vitro molecular microbiology, bacterial genetics, and quantitative analytical approaches, including strain construction, functional assays, and data-driven analysis.

The successful applicant will have (or be close to completion of) a PhD in microbiology, molecular biology, bacterial genetics, or a related discipline, with experience in experimental laboratory-based research.

The post is available for 36 months, starting 01 July 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

St Andrews offers more than just a place to work it is a place to belong. We value collegiality, inclusion, and wellbeing, and we are committed to creating a workplace where staff can thrive and perform at their best.

In addition to the salary on offer for this position, there are a wide range of benefits for staff working at the University of St Andrews. The package for the Research Fellow includes:

• Financial contribution to relocation (Subject to eligibility).
• Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution of 14.5%.
• A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies, supporting work-life balance.
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services.
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel.
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme.
• 34 Days Annual Leave plus 5 Public Holidays.

Closing Date: 31 March 2026

Interview Date: Mid-April (exact date to be confirmed)

Please quote ref: AR3250LS

Job Description: AR3250LSFPs.pdf