Research Fellow (112354)
- Reference: 502
- Department: Life Sciences
- Contract Type: Fixed-term contract
- Fixed Term End Date: 28 February 2029
- Hours: Full-time (1.0 FTE)
- Closing Date: Wednesday 25 November 2026, 11:59 PM (UK)
- Full time Salary Range: £36,320.00 - £46,970.00 per annum
About the Role
You will join the Bending group/team in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick University.
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/people/gbending/
You will undertake research on plant-microbe interactions in the research group of Professor Gary Bending in the School of Life Sciences, working on the European Research Council (ERC) Advanced grant project ‘Rhizosphere Rhythms: Unravelling Diurnal Microbiome Dynamics and Their Role in Plant–Soil Interactions’. You will design and undertake experiments with synthetic bacterial communities to investigate the way in which the plant circadian clock controls rhythmicity of the rhizosphere microbiome via exudation and plant immune responses. You will liaise closely with collaborators in the UK and overseas, and with other research staff working on the project.
We and the wider University of Warwick environment offer substantial opportunities for professional development including regular opportunities to attend international conferences.
Any requests for further information about the role can be directed to Prof. Gary Bending- gary.bending@warwick.ac.uk
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description (link here).
About You
We are looking for someone with expertise in molecular microbiology, environmental microbiology or plant-microbe interactions.
Applicants should be proficient in molecular biology techniques for profiling microbial community composition and abundance, and experience handling synthetic bacterial communities, phages or protists in culture would be an advantage.
If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant at the top of level 5 within the University grade structure. Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of the level 6 of the University grade structure, unless exceptional experience applies to warrant a higher salary.
About the Department
The School of Life Sciences (SLS) is a cohesive, enthusiastic community producing world-class, high-impact bioscience research and teaching within an open, friendly, inclusive and highly collaborative environment.
For further information about the School of Life Sciences please see our website at:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci
We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent research and teaching environment. Our workplace ethic has enabled us to gain the Athena SWAN Silver award. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all groups with protected characteristics traditionally under-represented in STEM fields. As part of our ongoing commitment to addressing gender equality under the Athena Swan chartermark, we would particularly encourage and welcome applications from female academics.
In your application, you can also include any career breaks you may have taken (e.g. parental/caring/long-term sick leave, part-time work, secondments) or any periods where you were unable or restricted to work because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
How to Apply
To apply please complete your essential personal details and attach a CV and cover letter on the closing date stated.
We will review applications throughout the advertising period and may contact shortlisted candidates before the closing date. We therefore encourage interested applicants to submit their application as early as possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications
Please ensure your CV includes your most recent employment experience along with any additional relevant experience and education history.
Your cover letter should detail your motivation for applying for the role as well as detailing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.
The interviews will be held: To Be Confirmed
We will provide you with a great range of benefits, which include an attractive pension scheme, a generous holiday allowance plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, and onsite childcare facilities.
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer you access to flexible working, for more information click here.
We are proud to say that we are a Living Wage employer.
If you are considering relocating to the UK, read our Relocation Guide to find out more about what Warwick has to offer and what might be involved in the process.
Warwick is committed to building an organisation of mutual respect and dignity, promoting a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social, and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.
We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation. To find out more about our social inclusion work at Warwick visit our webpages here.
The University currently holds a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award, Athena Swan Sliver Award and a Disability Smart Bronze Award. Further information on all of the University's Awards and Accreditations can be found here. The University of Warwick is also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.
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