Research Fellow - Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes Grade 7

Research Fellow - Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes

Join the University of Birmingham as a Research Fellow in the Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health.

Location:

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

Full‑time fixed‑term contract up to March 2028, Grade 7.

First‑year salary £36,636‑£46,049, potential progression to £48,822.

Closing date: 11 January 2026.

As part of a Wellcome‑funded investigator project, the successful candidate will create and contribute to knowledge about microbial and diet interactions in beneficial gut microbiota members such as Bifidobacterium (Bif). The role involves exploring how beneficial and potentially pathogenic microbes influence infant gut ecosystem dynamics, dietary component breakdown, and genomic traits in Bifidobacterium. Outcomes will support the development of therapeutic interventions.

We seek an enthusiastic individual motivated by early‑life microbiome research and ready to join an inclusive team. The candidate may have high‑level expertise in 1–2 specific areas or a broad skill set across sequencing‑based microbiome profiling, bioinformatics, microbial ecology, and microbiology.

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids.
• Operate within your area of specialism.
• Analyse and interpret research findings.
• Contribute to generating funding and commercial opportunities, including licensing or spin‑out deals.

• Develop research objectives and proposals with mentor support where needed.
• Analyse and interpret data, applying knowledge to develop new intellectual understanding.
• Disseminate findings through publications, seminars, posters.
• Supervise PhD/MSc students and provide guidance on research.
• Develop new models, techniques and methods.
• Undertake management and administrative tasks arising from research.
• Contribute to departmental and school research activities and enterprise initiatives.
• Collect and analyze research data via experimentation, literature reviews, interviews.
• Conduct microbiological studies including culturing, growth curves, molecular characterisation.
• Perform microbiome ecology studies (mock‑communities, co‑cultures, batch cultures, model colon studies).
• Execute bioinformatics analysis: QC, data processing, microbial genomic analysis, microbiome profiling, and interaction analysis; include AI/ML where relevant.
• Interpret statistical analysis of microbiome and clinical metadata, using R.
• Provide guidance to supporting staff and students.
• Resolve issues that may affect research objectives and deadlines.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion, maintain confidentiality, and uphold health and safety.

• First degree in a relevant field; higher degree preferred.
• Experience in biomedical laboratory or industry‑based research.
• Microbiology expertise: isolation, culturing, phenotypic analysis, molecular work, anaerobic techniques.
• Proficiency in microbial co‑culture studies, mock communities, and model colon setups.
• Experience in bioinformatics, especially microbial genomic studies.
• Skills in microbiota profiling and analysis, possibly AI/ML on large datasets.
• Demonstrated outputs (publications, code).
• High analytical capability and clear communication of complex information.
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to develop new ones.
• Resource assessment and effective use of resources.
• Understanding of broader management and administrative processes.
• Ability to coordinate own work with others to avoid duplication.
• Knowledge of Equality Act 2010 and active promotion of equal treatment.

Please attach your CV and cover letter to your application.

The University of Birmingham is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and have Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We actively address barriers and promote diversity, equity, and accessibility.