Job Description

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow to work on the NSF/UKRI-funded project \xe2\x80\x9cReverse engineering the soil microbiome: detecting, modeling, and optimizing signal impacts on microbiome metabolic functions\xe2\x80\x9d based within the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology. This project involves two institutions, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, US, and the University of Manchester, UK, with a total of 5 academic partners. The aim of this project is to provide fundamental insights into the roles of signals in mediating the ecology of soil microbes and suppression of plant diseases. This work establishes a foundation for engineering functional soil microbiomes for precision agriculture.

You will have skills in Streptomyces synthetic and/or molecular biology allied to strong interests in metabolic engineering and soil signalling. The appointee will join a team of researchers in this project. The project will be working to exploit actinomycetes to produce signal molecules relevant to soil ecology A strong commitment to team-based work is required, with a strong background in Streptomyces synthetic biology and molecular biology. This project will be supervised by Professor Eriko Takano.

You will hold a PhD (or equivalent) in Biology/Biochemistry (or a related subject area) and have technical skills in Streptomyces synthetic and molecular biology, metabolic engineering allied to strong interests in genome editing, including experience in working with Streptomyces CRISPR/Cas9 systems, pathway assembly, analysis of Streptomyces microbial community signalling and genetic manipulation of microbes.

The post will be available as soon as possible and is a full time position which will end on 14th March 2024.

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

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working - you can find out more

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to . Any CV\'s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Professor Eriko Takano

Email:

General enquiries:

Email:

Technical support:

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.

University of Manchester