Job Description

Salary: Research Assistant £33,951 to £35,608 per annum

Research Associate £36,636 to £39,906.00 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 9 October 2026

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The Role

We are seeking an ambitious Research Assistant/Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the laboratory of Dr James Connolly in the Biosciences Institute, to uncover the molecular details and impact of sphingolipid synthesis in Gram negative bacteria. This project is part of a collaborative Wellcome Trust Discovery Award.

For decades, sphingolipids were thought to be almost exclusively eukaryotic membrane components, with only a handful of unusual bacteria capable of producing them. Our recent discoveries have overturned this view, revealing that sphingolipid biosynthesis is widespread across diverse bacteria. Emerging evidence suggests sphingolipids are key determinants of membrane homeostasis, environmental adaptation, antimicrobial resistance and host-pathogen interactions.

Yet fundamental questions remain unanswered: How are diverse sphingolipids synthesised by bacteria and why do they provide a colonisation advantage to bacteria in the mammalian gut?

The successful candidate will drive this project by combining demonstrated expertise in bacterial genetics, ‘omics approaches and in vivo models. You will determine how sphingolipid expression is regulated within the host, and how these membrane components impact on colonisation dynamics as well as competition with the microbiota. Additionally, you will use multi-omics methods to profile the intestinal environment in response to sphingolipid expressing bacteria.

You should be highly motivated, organised and able to work independently. This project forms part of a wider collaboration between multiple groups, so the successful candidate should also be excellent communicator and capable of sustaining close, interdisciplinary collaboration.

This is a fixed-term appointment, available for 3 years in the first instance (with possibility to extend) and is available from autumn/winter 2026.

We follow the Researcher Development Concordat: Researcher Development | Our Research | Newcastle University. We enable all colleagues to fulfil their research potential regardless of career stage. This commitment secures our thriving research culture and vibrant research environment. Our offer to each individual and their researcher development includes mentoring, annual research planning discussions, pooled research funding to support career development and research activities, peer review support for the development of research and innovation funding applications’.

As a Wellcome Trust funded role, the successful applicant may be eligible for the Endorsed Funder Route of the Global Talent Visa. We can provide an interest free loan scheme to support applicants who need to apply for a visa.

We want you to feel confident when applying for a position with Newcastle University. If you would like an informal discussion to clarify any points, please contact James Connolly (James.Connolly2@newcastle.ac.uk). We are committed to making the process accessible to everyone and can provide additional support to adjustments to meet your needs’

How to apply – Please apply with an up to date academic CV and cover letter outlining your interest and fit for the role you are applying for.

Interested candidates may also want to consider applying to the role of Research Assistant / Associate in Structural Biology of Bacterial Sphingolipid biosynthesis.

Key Accountabilities

Research Assistant

• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes.
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s).
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project.
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books).
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate.

In addition for Research Associate

• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project.
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research.
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations.
• Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications.
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding.

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Research Assistant

• Research experience in animal models
• Research experience in genetic manipulation of Gram-negative bacteria
• Detailed subject knowledge in molecular microbiology and/or host-interactions
• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems.

In addition for Research Associate

• Research experience in omics data handling and analysis
• Experience with fluorescence microscopy
• Awareness of the research environment
• High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
• Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications

Attributes and Behaviour

• Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
• Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
• Commitment to continued professional development
• Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity

Qualifications

Research Assistant

• Honours degree in microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology

In addition for Research Associate

• PhD in microbiology or related discipline

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 29752