Research Fellow in Public Health Surveillance

Overview

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow in Public Health Surveillance to join Prof Davey Jones in leading the National Wastewater Programme for Public and Environmental Health in Wales. This fixed-term position offers an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research monitoring pathogens (viruses, bacteria), antimicrobial resistance, and illicit chemicals in water and wastewater environments. The successful candidate will advance wastewater-based epidemiology for public health and environmental surveillance, managing key research activities that translate into actionable insights.

The role represents a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of environmental science and public health in a nationally significant research programme.

• Shape the research direction and help manage the laboratory team.
• Mentor Masters and PhD students.
• Expand molecular and bioinformatic approaches for detecting novel pathogens and quantifying functional genes across diverse environments including community and hospital wastewater, coastal waters, and rivers.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders, including Verily, for international projects, Welsh Government officials to inform policy decisions, and Public Health Wales professionals to translate research findings into actionable public health measures.
• Communicate research findings effectively to bridge scientific work with governmental and healthcare partners, and contribute to scientific publications (lead author and co-author roles).

• PhD in environmental microbiology or related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing research projects and publishing in high-impact journals.
• Expertise in microbial quantification techniques (including DNA/RNA extraction from environmental samples, qPCR, and/or metagenomics).

• Fixed-term role available from 1 April 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter) until 31 August 2027.
• Location on campus at Bangor, with option to spend some time working remotely (within the UK) under the Dynamic Working framework to support work–life balance; this will be discussed further at interview.
• Applications may be considered for part-time or job-share arrangements.
• Applications must be submitted through the online recruitment portal at
• Accessibility accommodations are available for candidates with disabilities by calling