Postdoctoral Research Associate in Microbiome Ecology

We are seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on a project to investigate host-microbiota interactions. 

You will join the lab of Dr Sarah Knowles, working on a project to investigate host-microbiota interactions. The role involves two components: (i) initial analysis of previously collected data to explore associations between the gut microbiota and host phenotypes of interest within the wild house mouse population of Skokholm Island, Wales. (ii) designing and carrying out a gnotobiotic (microbiome transfer) experiment using wild mouse donors and germ-free recipient mice, to probe the causal impacts of natural variability in the microbiome on host phenotypes of interest. This will include subsequent lab work to characterize the microbiome from resulting samples, and statistical analyses to test specific hypotheses. 

You will hold a PhD in microbial ecology or in a related subject and have demonstrable experience in conducting fieldwork on the Skokholm wild house mouse system and designing experiments. You will have a srong academic record showing excellence as a researcher in microbial ecology.

Where Covid-19 has resulted in substantial disruption to your work or research outputs, please explain this by providing an additional paragraph in your supporting statement.

The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria.

This post is fixed term for a year.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Tuesday 19 March 2024, interviews are likely to be scheduled late March 2024. Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via our e-recruitment system, and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application.