Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Water Virology

School ofWater, Energy and Environment

Water Theme

Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Water Virology

Fixed Term Contract until 28 February 2025

Research Assistant (if close to completing PhD) full time starting salary is normally in the range of £34,450 per annum

Research Fellow (if PhD obtained) full time starting salary is normally in the range of £37,337 to £40,347 per annum, dependent on skills and experience

Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire

Cranfield University, Water Theme, Cranfield Water Sciences welcomes applications from Microbiology / Virology / Biology / Infectious Disease graduates with a PhD in relevant subjects.

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated Water Quality Scientist to join our dynamic team in addressing the crucial challenge of safeguarding drinking water quality against viral pathogens, an area underscored by recent revisions to the EU Drinking Water Directive. You will play a pivotal role in a groundbreaking project aimed at advancing our understanding and management of viral risks in water supplies. This involves conducting comprehensive investigations into the presence and removal of somatic coliphage, a newly mandated viral indicator, across various water treatment contexts. Utilizing state-of-the-art methodologies developed in a pathfinder project, the role encompasses appraising source waters for viral contamination, assessing the efficacy of treatment processes under challenging conditions, and exploring correlations between coliphage presence and pathogenic viruses. This position is instrumental in guiding the water industry towards effective interventions and regulatory compliance, enhancing public health protection.

Your work will contribute to a national surveillance program, inform the selection of management strategies, and optimize treatment processes to mitigate viral risks. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional passionate about environmental science and public health to impact the water sector significantly.

About You

You will have a PhD or EngD (obtained or near completion) in a field related to Public Health Microbiology, Virology, Infectious diseases, Microbiology, Bacteriology, Parasitology, Epidemiology, Public Health Engineering (ideally with application to drinking water and/or wastewater), and have experience of management research using both qualitative and quantitative methods. With excellent communication skills, you will have expertise in drinking water / wastewater and a background in environmental or engineered systems would be an advantage. Equivalent industry experience would be considered.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

The Water theme at Cranfield University is home to two internationally recognised centres of excellence: Cranfield Water Science Institute and the Centre for Water Environment and Development. Both groups offer postgraduate taught and research degrees as well as short courses on campus or in-company.

Cranfield Water Science Institute has a proud reputation for its research on the science, engineering and management of water. Our lives and livelihoods are dependent on the natural and engineered water cycles. Accordingly, research and skills development in water treatment and management have never been more vital. Cranfield’s research in these areas is applied and industry focused, and we have been driving innovation for over 40 years.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme.We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides may staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply

For an informal discussion, please contact Dr Francis Hassard, Senior Lecturer in Public Health Microbiology, on (T); +44 (0)1234 758302 or +44 (0)1234 750111 (E); francis.hassard@cranfield.ac.uk

Apply online now. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: hrrecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 4782.

Closing date for receipt of applications:   01 April 2024

Interviews to be held: Mid-April