Research Assistant in Experimental Evolution 2025

The Brockhurst Lab group within the Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics wishes to appoint a laboratory-based Research Assistant to an exciting project exploring how defence systems and mobile genetic elements jointly control long-term dynamics of bacterial genome evolution.

ECOEVOGENOME is a 5-year project awarded to Professor Michael Brockhurst by the European Research Council Advanced Grants programme and funded by EPSRC. The project combines long-term experimental evolution with genomics and genetic engineering to reveal the mechanistic bases of adaptation and genomic divergence during 10,000 generations.

During this position, the post-holder will work within a team of researchers to deliver evolution experiments and use high-throughput phenotyping, genomics and genetic engineering to understand the mechanisms of genome evolution. The postholder will join a dynamic lab group with access to state-of-the-art lab and computational facilities and be a member of the MERMan research cluster of more than 100 researchers working in microbial ecology and evolution.

What you will get in return

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

Key responsibilities, accountabilities or duties

The range of duties will include

• Perform lab experiments (including long-term experimental evolution, high-throughput screening bacterial phenotypes)
• Perform molecular biology and genetic engineering experiments (including PCR and construction of mutant P. aeruginosa strains)
• Perform genomic DNA extractions and prepare sequencing libraries
• Develop and maintain the cryogenic strain archive
• Data entry, data analysis, and data management
• Conduct pilot programmes of research and to significantly contribute to main research projects by organising, maintaining and reporting on research outcomes, as directed by the Principal Investigator
• Contribute to the analysis and presentation of data using appropriate systems and methods for inclusion within publications and presentations
• Use own initiative to find solutions to problems and implementing appropriate changes to working practices
• Supervise and advise staff and students on experimental protocols, equipment use, induction and safe working practices
• Manage the efficient and safe operation of the Group’s Laboratory areas. Monitoring both that the activity and personnel are appropriate for the area
• Ensure systems are in place for monitoring general consumable stock levels and procurement of consumables and equipment
• Take delivery of goods and store in accordance with local and statutory guidelines
• Prepare and maintain risk assessments for the preparation and use of reagents, chemicals, equipment and procedures by self and others in the group
• Work in compliance with relevant Health and Safety regulation, Data Protection Act and University policy legislation and regulations, eg. Human tissue Act, Equality & Diversity, etc. Advise and ensure others within the Group also comply with current regulations of the School, Faculty and University
• Carry out health and safety inductions for laboratory workers
• To liaise with Faculty Finance Team to monitor, assess and advise the Group Lead on the Group’s laboratory budgets
• Attend and contribute to research group and staff meetings
• Any other reasonable duties commensurate with the grade to support the strategies of the School or Faculty

Person specification

Essential

• Bachelors-level degree in a relevant biological science subject
• Extensive relevant and specific laboratory experience in the field of microbiology, molecular biology and molecular microbiology, with a breadth and depth of knowledge in a wide range of highly specialised techniques (such as: bacterial culturing, phenotyping, PCR, electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, construction of mutant or labelled bacterial strains) and experience of working with Hazard Group 2 bacterial pathogens
• Experience of planning and performing large-scale experiments and of managing the resulting datasets
• Track-record of contributing to peer-reviewed publications
• Knowledge of and compliance with relevant Health and Safety regulation, the Data Protection Act, Standard Operating Procedures and risk assessments including COSHH risk assessments
• Ability to plan, organise and undertake a complex workload with multiple and competing priorities, without supervision
• Previous experience of preparing Standard Operating Procedures and risk assessments including COSHH risk assessments
• Computer skills including experience of handling data (uploading data and maintaining databases) and knowledge of research specific software (e.g. R statistics)
• Ability to work independently and where appropriate develop a technical team
• Ability to work effectively within a collaborative team and to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues
• Ability to clearly present information verbally, electronically and on paper
• Ability to follow and deliver clear instructions and communicate effectively and politely with staff and students
• Ability to work to a high standard with good reproducibility of results
• Willingness to undertake any necessary training and deliver in-house training to others
• Willingness to liaise with internal and external collaborators, infrastructure, technical and IT support teams
• To attend and contribute to research group and staff meetings
• Willingness to work flexible hours including outside standard office hours (e.g. at weekends as required to maintain experiments)

Desirable

• A Masters-level degree in Biology or Microbiology or a related area
• PhD in Microbiology or related area
• Experience of microbial experimental evolution
• Experience of bacterial whole genome sequencing
• Practical experience of working with Pseudomonas aeruginos
• Practical experience of genetic manipulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Experience in the delivery of training and supervision of other staff and students