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11/03/2021
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Marie Curie-Sklodowska ITN Early Career Researcher in Applied Microbiology for Pre-natal Infection Detection

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  • ORGANISATION/COMPANY
    University of Bath
  • RESEARCH FIELD
    Biological sciences › Other
  • RESEARCHER PROFILE
    First Stage Researcher (R1)
  • APPLICATION DEADLINE
    25/04/2021 17:00 - Europe/London
  • LOCATION
    United Kingdom › Bath
  • TYPE OF CONTRACT
    Temporary
  • JOB STATUS
    Full-time
  • HOURS PER WEEK
    37.5
  • OFFER STARTING DATE
    01/07/2021
  • EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME
    H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
  • REFERENCE NUMBER
    H2020-MSCA-ITN-2020
  • MARIE CURIE GRANT AGREEMENT NUMBER
    955664

OFFER DESCRIPTION

The Department of Chemistry, are looking to employ a Research Associate on the EC Marie-Curie programme. This is a fully-funded contract of employment with a requirement that the successful candidate registers for a PhD as part of the Stimulus programme in the research teams of Professor Toby Jenkins (a.t.a.jenkins@bath.ac.uk ) and Dr Maisem Laabei (m.laabei@bath.ac.uk )

Background 

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease in neonates is the principal cause of meningitis, sepsis, encephalopathy and early infant death in neonates (babies under 4 weeks old). Babies acquire GBS from their mothers during vaginal birth, but the mechanism by which maternal colonisation causes infant infection is still not well understood. It is speculated that babies aspirate GBS from their mouths / noses into their lungs and hence bloodstream. Babies at high risk of GBS disease are pre-term, low weight and generally sickly, although not always. GBS infection can be effectively prevented and treated with antibiotics if detected early enough. In the UK, 0.57 babies per 1000 currently get early-onset GBS disease, but up to 25% of women are diagnosed with GBS colonisation pre-partum. 

Preliminary work at Bath

An early-stage prototype test is being developed at Bath, which consists of a swab and an indicator solution containing phospholipid vesicles designed to be sensitive to the b-haemolysin molecule expressed by GBS. More details can be found at https://smartwound.co.uk/gbs

PhD/Research Plan

The broad research aim is two-fold:

  1. To develop the sensor technology by improving the formulation of lipids in the sensor indicator solution to tune response for optimised analyte sensitivity and specificity.
  2. To start to better understand why although around 1% of babies acquire GBS whilst being born from their mother less than 0.1% of babies go on to get GBS disease. We will work with the Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group at St Georges hospital, London: Professor Le Doare and Dr Karampatsas.

More Information

Additional Information

Benefits

What we can offer you:

Our campus is surrounded by beautiful countryside, and the City of Bath with its historic charm and social activity only a short distance away creates an excellent environment in which to work. 

We are:

  • a family friendly workplace 
  • open to exploring flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the University. 
  • recognising of the talents of our diverse workforce through an excellent reward package 
  • encouraging of your personal and professional development

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us @UniofBath and @UniofBathJobs on Twitter for more information.

We aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to a better environment for our employees and students, creating a learning environment and organisational culture that enhances health and wellbeing across our community. We are very proud to have recently received Ambassadors for Autism certification and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must comply with the EU definition of Early Stage Researchers (specifically, not having previously been awarded a doctoral degree);

  • be in possession of, or be expected to be awarded prior to commencement of the Fellowship, a masters level (four year) degree, or equivalent experience following a three year degree: 
    1. in one of the following fields: Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Biosciences, Medicine, Chemistry, Medicine, or a cognate discipline (the qualifying degree),
    2. at a level of a first or upper second class grade, or equivalent; and
  • meet the English language requirements of the University of Bath Doctoral College (currently a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each of the four components).

Selection process

You need to apply in two places:

1. Please visit https://www.bath.ac.uk/study/pg/applications.pl#chemistry, go to PhD programme in Chemistry (full-time)

and complete an application for the PhD programme in Chemistry.  It is suggested that you complete the PhD application first, stating on the application form that you will be applying for the Fellowship. With the PhD application, you should upload: 

  • a scan of your undergraduate degree certificate and your postgraduate degree certificate if you have one
  • a scan of your degree transcript(s) and/or an interim degree transcript if you are still studying
  • an up-to-date CV
  • a supporting statement or covering letter detailing your interest and suitability for studying a PhD
  • an English language certificate (e.g. Academic IELTS) if appropriate

2. Please go to: LCC8144 Marie Curie-Sklodowska ITN Early Career Researcher in Applied Microbiology for Pre-natal Infection Detection - Jobs at Bath and click on 'apply online'

When you complete your job application, you will need to upload your CV but there is no need to replicate information or documents that you have already provided as part of your PhD application.

Requirements

Offer Requirements

  • REQUIRED LANGUAGES
    ENGLISH: Good

Skills/Qualifications

Applicants must have a Masters’ degree in a Biochemical Science (Microbiology, Biology etc), Medicine or Chemistry (but should have some knowledge of microbiology), and should have an interest in clinical infectious disease and the potential to translate laboratory technology towards patient use.

Specific Requirements

Applicants must:

  • comply with the EU definition of Early Stage Researchers (specifically, not having previously been awarded a doctoral degree);
  • be in possession of, or be expected to be awarded prior to commencement of the Fellowship, a Masters level (four year) degree, or equivalent experience following a three year degree: 
    1. in one of the following fields: Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Biosciences, Medicine, Chemistry, Medicine, or a cognate discipline (the qualifying degree),
    2. at a level of a first or upper second class grade, or equivalent; and
  • meet the English language requirements of the University of Bath Doctoral College (currently a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each of the four components).

All candidates must complete a PhD application by the closing date advertised above as well as submitting an application for this post. 

Work location(s)
1 position(s) available at
University of Bath
United Kingdom
BANES
Bath
BA2 7AY
Claverton Down

EURAXESS offer ID: 615068

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