About the role

Are you passionate about microbiology and excited by the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in bacteriophage science? Join our dynamic team as a Research Technician at the Becky Mayer Centre for Phage Research, where you’ll play a key role in developing and maintaining a national Bacteriophage BioBank.

As a Research Technician, you will support the isolation and characterisation of bacteriophages targeting a range of pathogenic bacteria. Working closely with postdoctoral researchers, you will be instrumental in host range testing, maintaining stocks of bacterial and phage cultures, and preparing samples for DNA sequencing using Oxford Nanopore technology. Your work will directly contribute to the creation of a vital resource for the scientific community, enhancing our understanding of phage-bacteria interactions and supporting antimicrobial research.

You will work within an interdisciplinary team and liaise with collaborators nationally and internationally to support this innovative and impactful research initiative.

About you

You will have a strong background in microbiology, ideally supported by a technical or scientific qualification to ONC/NVQ3 level or higher. Your laboratory experience includes culturing bacteria—particularly ESKAPE pathogens—phage isolation, and working in a Biosafety Level 2 environment.

You are methodical and organised, with excellent record-keeping skills and the ability to manage your own workload under the guidance of senior researchers. Your communication skills, both written and verbal, are strong, and you are enthusiastic about collaborating within a team environment. A commitment to ongoing professional development is essential, and you’ll be open to learning new techniques and contributing to the wider goals of the research centre.

Experience with DNA library preparation, LIMS systems, or Linux-based computing environments would be advantageous, but not essential.

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Professor Martha Clokie and Associate Professor Andrew Millard on [email protected]

Applications for job share will be considered.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.