Research Fellow in Antibiotic Discovery

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Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in antibiotic discovery? Do you want to further your career in one of the UKs leading research intensive Universities?

Applications are invited for a highly-motivated Research Fellow to drive a Leeds-funded project seeking to discover new antibiotics active against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Building on promising preliminary studies in the O’Neill lab that have identified novel antibiotics in the genera Staphylococcus and Bacillus, this project seeks to characterize these novel compounds and to further expand our screening activities to identify additional examples for evaluation. In parallel, this study will employ genetic manipulation of the producer organisms to definitely link antibiotic production with particular biosynthetic gene clusters, and where required, to boost production of the antibiotic of interest. Collectively, the proposed project will make an important contribution to ongoing efforts in the O’Neill lab to tackle the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.

You should have a PhD (or close to completion) in molecular microbiology or a closely allied discipline, with extensive experience of natural product antibiotic discovery, including extraction, purification and biological characterization of antibiotics from microbial sources. You should also have experience of genetically engineering the chromosome in staphylococci, a proven ability to drive forward a multidisciplinary project that requires distinct areas of expertise, and the capacity to rapidly learn new techniques and trouble-shoot experiments.

The University of Leeds and the Faculty of Biological Sciences are committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offer a range of family friendly policies. The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN (the national body that promotes gender equality in higher education), and the Faculty of Biological Sciences was awarded a Silver award in 2020.  We are proud to be an inclusive Faculty that values all staff, and are happy to consider job share applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from our employees. Our Athena SWAN webpage provides more information. 

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Alex O’Neill , Professor of Antimicrobial Research

Email: [email protected] 

Location:  Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service:  Faculty of Biological Sciences
School/Institute:  School of Molecular & Cellular Biology
Category:  Research
Grade:  Grade 7
Salary:  £34,304 to £40,927 p.a.
Due to funding limitations it is unlikely an appointment will be made above £34,304 p.a.
Working Time:  37.5 hours per week
Post Type:  Full Time
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (12 Months from 1 November 2021)
Release Date:  Monday 25 October 2021
Closing Date:  Sunday 31 October 2021
Reference:  FBSMB1203
Downloads:  Candidate Brief