Research Fellow

You will join the Bending group/team in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick University.

You will undertake research on plant-microbe interactions in the research group of Professor Gary Bending in the School of Life Sciences, working on the European Research Council (ERC) Advanced grant project 'Rhizosphere Rhythms: Unravelling Diurnal Microbiome Dynamics and Their Role in Plant–Soil Interactions'. You will design and undertake experiments with synthetic bacterial communities to investigate the way in which the plant circadian clock controls rhythmicity of the rhizosphere microbiome via exudation and plant immune responses. You will liaise closely with collaborators in the UK and overseas, and with other research staff working on the project.

We and the wider University of Warwick environment offer substantial opportunities for professional development including regular opportunities to attend international conferences.

About You

We are looking for someone with expertise in molecular microbiology, environmental microbiology or plant-microbe interactions.

Applicants should be proficient in molecular biology techniques for profiling microbial community composition and abundance, and experience handling synthetic bacterial communities, phages or protists in culture would be an advantage.

If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant at the top of level 5 within the University grade structure. Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of the level 6 of the University grade structure, unless exceptional experience applies to warrant a higher salary.

About the Department

The School of Life Sciences (SLS) is a cohesive, enthusiastic community producing world-class, high-impact bioscience research and teaching within an open, friendly, inclusive and highly collaborative environment.

We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent research and teaching environment. Our workplace ethic has enabled us to gain the Athena SWAN Silver award. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all groups with protected characteristics traditionally under-represented in STEM fields. We would particularly encourage and welcome applications from female academics.

In your application, you can also include any career breaks you may have taken (e.g. parental/caring/long-term sick leave, part-time work, secondments) or any periods where you were unable or restricted to work because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benefits

We offer an attractive pension scheme, a generous holiday allowance plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, and onsite childcare facilities. We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working. We are a Living Wage employer.