Research Assistant/Associate in Systems Microbiology (Fixed Term)

We are seeking a creative and highly motivated Research Assistant/Associate to join Dr Somenath Bakshi's research group in the Department of Engineering. The project will investigate how bacterial physiological state shapes bacteriophage infection. We aim to determine how dormancy, nutrient limitation, growth transitions and stress generate transient phage resistance or tolerance, identify the underlying mechanisms, and distinguish cells that prevent productive infection from those that become infected but survive or delay killing. The post is based in Central Cambridge, UK. The successful applicant will combine bacterial genetics, genetic engineering and experimental phage biology to perturb host physiology and test causal mechanisms. The work will include constructing bacterial strains and reporters, establishing phage-host systems, performing quantitative infection assays under defined physiological conditions, and using fluorescence or time-lapse microscopy to link pre-infection state to infection outcome. The post holder will work with the Bakshi Lab's single-cell phage infection platform (https://www.bakshilab.net/) and an interdisciplinary team spanning microbiology, engineering and quantitative modelling. Applicants should have obtained, or be close to obtaining, a PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Microbiology, Phage Biology, Synthetic Biology, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, or a related discipline. Strong hands-on experience in bacterial microbiology, genetic engineering and bacteriophage methods is essential, together with some exposure to microscopy and quantitative data analysis. Experience with dormancy, persistence or stress physiology, bacterial defence systems, single-cell imaging, microfluidics, image analysis, Python or R would be advantageous. Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded. Salary Ranges: Research Assistant: £33,002 - £35,608 Research Associate: £37,694 - £46,049 Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 24 months in the first instance. Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online. Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter [add up to 3 further documents needed e.g. research publication list] in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date. If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Liz Elias (Group Administrator) via email at control-admin@eng.cam.ac.uk. Please quote reference NM50835 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy. The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.