"Research Fellow - School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology - 104170 - Grade 7"

Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes - School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK 

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £40,521

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to October 2027

Closing date: 3rd September 2024

Background

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities  as part of a collaborative project funded by the BBSRC, focusing on novel iron acquisition mechanisms in the gut microbiota member Bifidobacterium (Bif), and their role in early life colonisation and ecosystem dynamics. 

During early life, a microbe's ability to colonise is particularly important due to rapidly changing ecosystem dynamics, which may impact host wellbeing. This is a particular issue in infants with iron deficiency anaemia IDA, which can lead to a disrupted gut microbiota and poorer health outcomes. And although current iron supplementation strategies increase iron levels, this is associated with reductions in beneficial bacteria and increases in pathogenic strains, leading to diarrhoea. Therefore, understanding iron acquisition mechanisms in dominant and beneficial early-life microbiota members such as Bif is crucial.

This innovative project is conducted in collaboration with Dr. Peter Chivers’ lab at Durham University, which will perform the molecular characterisation of a newly identified and novel iron uptake system in Bif. The successful candidate in the Hall lab will explore how iron uptake via this system enhances Bif colonisation under defined iron and ecosystem experimental conditions and investigate how iron-depleted and supplemented conditions impact Bif abundance and the broader microbial ecosystem structure and function.

Summary of Role

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids 
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results 
• Contribute to generating funding 
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties/Responsibilities

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews 
• Conduct microbiological studies, including bacterial culturing, growth curves, and molecular characterisation.
• Undertake detailed microbiological molecular studies to generate key KO and recombinant Bif strains for testing in downstream experimental systems 
• Carry out microbiome ecology studies, including mock-community, co-culture and batch culture experiments, as well as model colon studies.
• Potentially contribute to bioinformatics analysis, such as whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and microbiome profiling from experimental systems.
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters 
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research 
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Promote equality and diversity, maintain confidentiality, and uphold health and safety policies.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• Experience in biomedical laboratory/industry-based research
• Microbiology expertise (isolations, culturing, phenotypic analysis, molecular work, anaerobic microbiology is advantageous)
• Significant experience in molecular microbiology work, ideally in Gram positive bacteria, including generation of KO and recombinant strains to explore functional aspects 
• Proficiency in microbial co-culture studies, including mock communities systems and/or model colon experimental setups
• Experience in bioinformatics, particularly microbial genomic studies (desirable)
• High level analytical capability
• 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

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Lindsay Hall, email: l.hall.3@bham.ac.uk   

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.