Research Fellow, School of Biological Sciences

Application closing date: 18/03/2024
Salary: £37,841 per annum
Job category/type: Research

The School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast, is currently seeking to appoint an exceptional candidate to the post of Research Fellow.   

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct applied research and development of a novel type of a medicinal product intended to treat acne vulgaris – a bacteriophage-loaded microneedle patch. The feasibility of phage delivery with hollow solid microneedles was demonstrated by Prof Ryan Donnelly team back in 2012. Further research resulted in the development of a patch prototype containing dissolving microneedles that release bactericidal phage particles upon dissolution. Last year we demonstrated that dissolving microneedles containing phages are effective against acne-associated bacteria in vitro. In this project, we seek to further develop and optimise this prototype product to ensure its successful progression down the translational route.   

This is an interdisciplinary research project that would require good theoretical and practical knowledge of microbiology (including phage biology), molecular biology, and bioinformatics. Previous experience with microneedle fabrication, antibacterial activity assays and working with anaerobic microorganisms would be beneficial.

The post holder will be based in the School of Pharmacy and will work under the supervision of Dr Timofey Skvortsov and Prof Ryan Donnelly.   

Applications are invited from highly motivated, efficient, and organised individuals with a strong commitment to applied biomedical research. The successful candidate will have a strong background in molecular microbiology/biotechnology and will be seeking an ambitious research project in a well-supported environment.  

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following criteria:   

• Hold or be about to obtain* a PhD (or equivalent) in microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, materials science, genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, or a closely related discipline.  (* must be obtained within 6 months of commencement of employment)

• Significant research experience to include microbiological techniques, bacteriophage isolation and handling, bacterial/bacteriophage genomic DNA isolation, sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis.
• Demonstrable experience of robust data and resource management and accurate record keeping.  

Please note the above is not an exhaustive list. For further information about the role including the essential and desirable criteria click on the 'Candidate Information' link below.   

This post is available on a fixed term contract for 12 months, or available until 31 March 2025, whichever is sooner. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.       

At Queen’s our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a staff member you will become part of a vibrant organisational culture, which will provide you with the opportunity to achieve your full potential and enhance your career through a continuous focus on learning and development.           

We offer an excellent employment package that includes:

• Great terms & conditions
• Pension schemes
• Flexible working by enabling you to design your working week in collaboration with your manager through a blend of remote and office working
• Family-friendly initiatives
• Career development opportunities
• Support for health & mental wellbeing
• Generous holiday entitlement of 8.4 weeks a year (made up of 23 days annual leave, 10 closure days and 9 bank holidays)         

Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We have created an inclusive culture by establishing staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.              

We also subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI in addition to Athena Swan. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion please visit: www.qub.ac.uk/diversity; www.qub.ac.uk/qgi and www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/StaffNetworks/  

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Stephen Kelly at Stephen.Kelly@qub.ac.uk        

Candidate Information            
About the School
Attractive Reward Package
Further Information for International Applicants