Research Technician

The post
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Research Technician to support the work of the Westra and van Houte research teams on the development of synthetic phage therapy. This BBSRC funded post is available from 1 June 2024 until 31st May 2026. The successful applicant will be responsible for molecular cloning of genes that encode (components of) bacterial immune systems into bacterial and phage genomes. They will also carry out high-throughput infection assays with modified phages to determine the impact of specific genes on bacterial resistance patterns. The technician will work closely with a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and they will be part of a larger network of PIs and postdocs and technicians based at the Universities of Manchester and Liverpool.

The post will include developing and optimizing molecular biology protocols, setting up high-throughput methodologies, maintaining a digital record of all experimental procedures, keeping a record of bacterial and phage clones and making sure they are stored appropriately, preparing materials needed for carrying out experiments, running routine experiments, organising data and sharing data with the wider team. They will also be responsible for organising a stakeholder workshops towards Year 1 of the grant at the Environmental Sustainability Institute focusing on regulation and policy for synthetic phage therapy targeting health stakeholders including doctors, patients, pharmacists, medical regulators and policy makers, such as MHRA, UKHSA.

About you
The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to independently develop and execute cloning strategies and will have excellent organisational skills and communication skills.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Cornwall

The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.  

Further information
For further information please contact Edze Westra, e-mail [email protected] .