Research Assistant / Associate in Biological support for the Built Environment

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, ENGLAND
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 29 Aug 2021

Company description:

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Job description:

The Role

We are seeking an adaptable and experienced researcher/technician to provide biological support our biological experiments in the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE).

The Hub (HBBE) is an exciting new collaboration between Newcastle University and Northumbria University supported by £8M of research funding. Our vision is to develop biotechnologies to create a new generation of Living Buildings which are responsive to their natural environment; grown using living engineered materials to reduce inefficient industrial construction processes; metabolise their own waste, reducing pollution and generating energy and high-value products, and modulate their microbiome to benefit human health and wellbeing.

We are looking for a researcher with a good range of experimental experience in microbiology to support PhD students, RAs and Research Fellows to undertake biological experiments connected to the built environment, including (but not limited to) working with microbial biomineralization, developing bacterial cellulose based materials, and developing mycelium composites. The RA will undertake training of students (many of whom are new to biological science) in lab and experimental techniques, health and safety and be involved in setting up experiments and supporting in the organisation and running of our microbiology lab. Publication opportunities will come from involvement with a range of projects connected to our experimental house, ‘the OME' and the successful candidate will be encouraged to engage creatively with the HBBE team in implementing existing projects and developing new ones.

A Masters level degree microbiology/biotechnology or similar, with extensive lab experience is essential and candidates with PhD level experience are welcomed. Candidates should be self-motivated and excellent at managing their time and resources. Candidates with experience working in challenging interdisciplinary contexts and experience working with designers/artist would also be reviewed favourably.

Along with the standard application documents (including CV and cover letter) potential candidates are asked to provide a portfolio of projects which demonstrate strong design skills and expertise prototyping with experimental technologies.

For more information about the HBBE see our website: www.bbe.ac.uk

The post is full-time, fixed-term from earliest possible start date until 31st March 2023.

Informal queries to: Professor Martyn Dade-Robertson ([email protected] )



Similar Positions