An exciting opportunity is available for a motivated Research Fellow as part of a major multinational, interdisciplinary consortium. A 2-year contract is available to design and execute experiments using benthic mesocosms to test the impact of “ecosystem engineering” by infauna on bacterial growth and genetic change. The functional impact of infaunal activity will be determined using environmental genomics supported by next generation sequencing using approaches developed to assess the development of antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations (Holden). Target bacterial assemblages will be assessed under the hypothesis that if ecosystem engineering enhances niched separation and stabilises selective pressure then more rapid evolutionary change is to be expected. The position is a new cooperation between Prof David M. Paterson in the sediment ecology research group (SERG) and Prof Matt Holden in the Medical School Infection Group. The duties will include the design and running of the experiments and the preparation of materials for genomic analysis (outsourced). Experience in environmental microbiology, molecular genetics, and/or benthic systems would be an advantage. Support in bioinformatics and interpretation of data will be provided as required. The successful candidate will be based in the SERG laboratory of the Scottish Oceans Institute with close liaison to the medical school.  

Two year position from February 2017.

Informal enquiries to: Prof David M. Paterson (d.paterson@st-andrews.ac.uk) or Prof Matt Holden (mtgh@st-andrews.ac.uk).
 
The University of St Andrews is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all, which is further demonstrated through its working on the Gender and Race Equality Charters and being awarded the Athena SWAN award for women in science, HR Excellence in Research Award and the LGBT Charter;  http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/diversityawards/.  

Interviews will be held in the week commencing 9 January 2017

Please quote ref: AR1846MR

Closing Date: 14 December 2016

Further Particulars: AR1846MR FPs.doc 

School of Biology
Salary: £32,004 - £38,183 per annum
Fixed Term: 2 years
Start: February 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter