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 monitoring pathogens (viruses, bacteria), antimicrobial resistance, and illicit chemicals in water and wastewater environments. The role is located on campus at Bangor with potential for some remote work under the Dynamic Working framework;

part-time or job-share arrangements may be considered. Closin g Date: 20 February 2026.

The postholder will bridge environmental science and public health, shaping research direction, managing the laboratory team, and mentoring Masters and PhD students. The role involves expanding molecular and bioinformatic approaches to detect novel pathogens and quantify functional genes across diverse environments, including community and hospital wastewater, coastal waters, and rivers. The postholder will work with stakeholders such as Verily, Welsh Government officials, and Public Health Wales to translate findings into policy and public health actions.

Excellent communication skills to connect science with practical applications are essential, with a strong record of publications expected.

• Liaise with and support the management of the lab and field operations team.
• Oversee downstream quantification and accurate reporting of microbiological targets and substances of abuse to public health agencies.
• Develop new approaches to quantify, visualise and assess the infectivity of viruses and bacteria in environmental samples.
• Write high quality journal papers.
• Help guide the research agenda on wastewater-based epidemiology and environmental microbiology.
• Help supervise Masters-level research projects and PhD students.
• Maintain and further develop collaborations with stakeholder communities (e.g. water companies, Verily LLC, DEFRA, UKHSA, Environment Agency, Public Health Wales, Natural Resources Wales).
• Write and complete reports associated with research projects.
• Act as the Quality manager to maintain the ISO
  17025 status of the laboratory.
• The post will report to Prof Davey Jones as Line Manager.

• Participate in performance reviews and developmental activities.
• Work towards ISO accreditation of additional work streams and ensure procedures and outputs meet quality assurance standards.
• Comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the Welsh Language Scheme.
• Maintain health, safety and wellbeing, comply with health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• Pursue professional development appropriate to career goals.
• Comply with relevant legal and financial policies and understand responsibilities under the post’s legal requirements.

• A PhD or equivalent in clinical or environmental microbiology, or a related subject.

• Strong background in clinical and/or environmental microbiology.
• Experience quantifying human or animal pathogens (DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, digital PCR).
• Experience with bioinformatics tools for metagenomic/amplicon data; familiarity with command-line environments.
• Expertise in environmental viromics and viral taxonomic databases.
• Curation of metagenomic data and interpretation of microbial community data.
• Track record of high-quality journal publications and presentations at conferences.
• Experience in supervising technical staff and working with wider stakeholder communities (policymakers, regulators, etc.).
• Good statistical skills and use of R for large datasets.

• Ability to help capture funds from external organisations.
• Experience in wastewater microbiology and analysis of viruses/bacteria by qPCR.
• Metagenomic sequencing of microbial communities; experience in ISO-accredited environments; knowledge of QA procedures.

• Ability to work independently to deadlines and take responsibility for research outcomes.
• Motivation and enthusiasm for project aims.
• Strong time-management, personal research output, and organisational skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work in a team and coordinate with others.
• Health and Safety awareness; understanding of bilingual context.

• A valid UK driving licence for accessing remote sites and sample collection.

The University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusive working practices and to supporting the Welsh language. Applicants may submit in English or Welsh. All offers are subject to eligibility to work in the UK and satisfactory references. Visa considerations: some candidates may require ATAS clearance; see  guidance for details. Redeployment candidates with a reasonable skills match may receive priority consideration.