Microbiologist/Cell Biologist Job Post
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Research Officer to lead our project on the generation of novel plant-based fermented foods and downstream testing of their effects on the faecal microbiota of children afflicted with egg and milk allergies.
Job Description
The successful candidate will have experience in working with fermented foods, conducting colon model experiments, performing bioassays to test the anti-allergenic properties of these foods, and ideally, the analysis of 16S amplicon sequencing data, including generating taxonomic, functional and diversity related outputs using assembly-based and assembly-free approaches. They will also be responsible for generating novel plant-based fermented foods using substrates such as plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs), oat-based substrates, amongst others by using previously characterised microbial strains from the APC and DPC Culture Collection banks.
Additionally, the Research Officer will use ex vivo models of the human distal colon to evaluate the effects of these novel plant-based fermented foods on the faecal microbiota of children afflicted with egg and milk allergies. They will identify changes in community composition, functional potential and diversity through 16S amplicon sequencing from faecal samples used in the above-mentioned colon model assays. The successful candidate will also isolate faecal water from the colon model experiments to identify associated metabolites for their anti-allergenic effects, using cell culture-based bioassays.
The Research Officer will perform correlation analysis between the faecal microbiota and metabolite profiles and anti-allergenic effects. To assist the organisation in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan. To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes. Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-staff and co-operate with management in enabling the organisation to comply with legal obligations.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Essential:
* An honours Level 8 degree in Microbiology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology or a related discipline.
* Demonstrated research and technical expertise in generating plant-based fermented foods, performing colon model experiments or cell culture-based bioassays.
Desirable:
* A postgraduate degree and/or research experience in Microbiology, Immunology, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry would be a distinct advantage.
* Excellent project management, analytical, report writing and data analysis skills.
Benefits
Eligibility: This is an open public competition. Should a current serving staff member be successful in their application through open public competition for this post, their current contract of employment will come to an end on taking up this post. Note: The 'essential' qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are 'must-have' which will be used in the selection process. To be considered for this role you must complete the application process.