Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Environmental and Molecular Microbiology of Marine Microplastics

A 30 month Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PDRF) position is available on a NERC / NRF funded project in the department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Stirling, UK. We are seeking a highly motivated PDRF specialising in environmental and molecular microbiology and the colonisation dynamics of pathogens in biofilms attaching to microplastics. The successful candidate will be based in Stirling and become part of the wider interdisciplinary team involved with the £1.4 million project “Sources, Impacts and Solutions for Plastics in South East Asia Coastal Environments”. The project involves a multidisciplinary team of experts from the UK (University of Stirling, Heriot-Watt University, National Oceanography Centre) and from Singapore (Nanyang Technological University), supported by Co-Is in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, together with Project partners in Belgium and USA, government bodies in Singapore and regional stakeholder coordinating bodies. 

Please see Project details here :

https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/work-at-stirling/list/details/?jobId=2422&jobTitle=Postdoctoral%20Research%20Fellow%20in%20environmental%20and%20molecular%20microbiology%20of%20marine%20microplastics

Informal enquiries may be made to the project leader in the UK Dr. Sabine Matallana-Surget, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Description of Duties

This position will consist of (i) Quantifying the biological and photochemical degradability of different marine MPs (ii) Characterising new plastic degraders and metabolic pathways together with the optimal conditions that favour plastic (bio)degradation pathways (iii) Determining co-pollutant potential and increased toxicity of MPs by sorption of persistent organic pollutants and the colonisation by microbial pathogens.

The appointee will become embedded within a thriving research environment at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES), with more than 40 principal investigators, alongside postdoctoral researchers and 60 PhD students.

  • Use molecular and culture-dependent approaches to determine the microbial diversity of the plastisphere
  • Develop microcosm and mesocosms systems to quantify colonisation dynamics of microplastics by bacteria
  • Use metagenomics to decipher microbial community composition
  • Use (meta)proteomics to establish phenotype-genotype linkages and the ability to decipher the functioning of active microbial communities
  • Use different UV sources to quantify the photodegradation of different MP particles and link the photochemical and biological degradation processes in laboratory-controlled conditions
  • Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables
  • Contribute to the intellectual development of the project, including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and writing publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals
  • Participate in project meetings
  • Contribute to the supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students of the project team to ensure their effective development.
  • Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group, including Budgets/Expenditure
  • Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile
  • Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues
  • Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area
  • Develop expertise in the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy

Essential Criteria

  • PhD in a relevant discipline, such as, microbiology, and/or molecular biology, or biotechnology in environmental sciences
  • Extensive experience of using microbiological techniques
  • Extensive experience of using standard molecular techniques (e.g. DNA extraction, PCR, protein isolation, SDS PAGE)
  • Evidence of experience with Advanced molecular techniques (metagenomics and/or proteomics)
  • Evidence of excellent time management
  • Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely
  • A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences
  • Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate
  • Evidence of problem solving capacity
  • Self motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

Skills & Attributes

  • Inventive and creative
  • Organised
  • Independent
  • Self-motivated
  • Able to communicate well
  • Work collaboratively in a team
  • Able to conduct repetitive tasks precisely and carefully

Desirable Criteria

  • Experience with microplastic
  • Experience in field work, sample collection and mesocosms
  • Experience in working with Hazard Group 2 microorganisms
  • Knowledge of risk assessment approaches
  • Skills in statistical analysis
  • Driving licence
Application deadline:
Start date:
Location: Stirling