Research Fellow - Birmingham, United Kingdom - University of Birmingham

University of Birmingham

Verified Company

Birmingham, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Position Details
School of Metallurgy and Materials, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location:
University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £37,099

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2026

Closing date: 4th April 2024

Background

To be part of a team within Metallurgy and Materials and work in collaboration with the School of Dentistry and the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing to design and synthesise novel antimicrobial peptides for use in antimicrobial water borne polymer-based formulations that can be sprayed on metal, polymer and ceramic surfaces in settings such as transport, hospitals and nursing homes.

About the project

The STOP project aims to develop antimicrobial and antiviral nanocoatings that can be flexibly or permanently applied to high-touch surfaces.

These nanocoatings are derived from a combination of inorganic nanoparticles, antimicrobial peptides and nanoscale laser surface patterning.

The nanocoatings are thoroughly characterised for their efficacy, using both existing international standards and improved testing methods developed within the project.

Operate within area of specialism and particularly design and synthesise antimicrobial peptides inspired by human betadefensins to be used further for nanoparticle functionalisation or in combination with other polymers to form an antimicrobial coating.
Use of specialised analytical equipment and interpret research findings and results.
Contribute to generating funding for the project.
Contribute to IP generation and public understanding.

Role Summary

Initiate and conduct original research which has measurable outcomes and is reflected in a growing national and often incipient international reputation.
Publish results of own research.
Cosupervise Masters and PhD research students.
PhD or equivalent research experience on antimicrobial peptide design (using machine learning developed algorithms) and chemical synthesis.
Possesses sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in computational modelling techniques of peptides and proteins such as algorithm development, and molecular dynamics, and other novel techniques to work within the Horizon Europe STOP project.

Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques

These include:

Develop novel antimicrobial peptides.
Work closely with a team of researchers that have developed already antimicrobial peptides and contribute to the project's progression.
Analyse and interpret data.
Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
Contribute to developing new antimicrobial nanocoatings based on antimicrobial peptides.
Collect research data through scientific experimentation and literature reviews.
Present research outputs at international and national conferences/workshops, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof.
Project manage research activities, and when appropriate cosupervise research students.
Present findings in high quality publications and conference proceedings.
Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate and according to the outlined research plan of STOP such as machine learning based algorithms.
Provide guidance to other staff and students on own specialist area.
Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University.
Collaborate closely with other beneficiaries in the STOP consortium, attend meetings presenting research conducted in Birmingham, and if necessary travel and attend secondments and meetings relevant to the STOP project.
Contribute to writing bids for research grants.
Suggest and contribute to the development of research techniques, models and methods in collaboration with colleagues.
Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate ideas based on outcomes.
Plan for the use of research resources as appropriate.
Contribute to the planning of research projects.
Coordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
Project manage research activities and/or cosupervising other research staff and/or students.
Organise meetings/conferences/symposia.
Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of project research objectives and deadlines.
Decide where and when to present research findings and what publications and conferences to target for this purpose.
Liaise with research staff and support staff on routine matters.
Develop links with external contacts (such as businesses, other educational b