Career Opportunities at Queen's

To be an active member of an exciting industry-academia collaborative research programme/team assisting in the development of novel antimicrobial formulations for infection control based on hypochlorous acid or plasma activated liquids (PAL), so that the overall research objectives of the project are met. This project involves close collaboration a growing company in the antimicrobial and infection control space, which offers exceptional opportunities to meet industrial clients and participate in knowledge transfer activities. The successful candidate, will be based at the School of Pharmacy, QUB, and will be responsible for assay development, screening, analysis and characterisation of novel formulations, developing bacterial - fungal mixed species biofilm assays for antimicrobial susceptibility analysis, and contributing to the day-to-day activities of the research group and research consortium.

The post holder will be based in the School of Pharmacy and will work under the supervision of Prof Brendan Gilmore (School of Pharmacy).

About The Person

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Hold or be about to obtain a PhD in Pharmaceutical Microbiology, or a closely relevant subject.
• Significant, recent relevant research experience to include:

• • microbiological techniques, including hands-on expertise in conventional microbiological  methods, biofilm models (mixed kingdom or species especially S. aureus and Candida sp.).
  • experience to antimicrobial formulation /drug delivery system development, and experience of using/optimising cold plasma systems (to include plasma activated liquids) for antimicrobial activity against biofilms alone and in synergy with antibiotics.
  • recent experience in the development of antimicrobial liposomal formulations for biofilm control and/or antimicrobial activity
  • Significant experience working with controlled microbial systems (biofilm models) for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
  • Clearly demonstrable experience of robust data and resource management and accurate record keeping

• A publication record commensurate with experience in the field of microbiology, plasma medicine or antimicrobial drug delivery OR Evidence of publication in quality peer reviewed journals, appropriate to career stage

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.

The post is available on a fixed term contract for 10 months. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/. 

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/diversity. 

If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application - http://go.qub.ac.uk/internationalstaffsupport.

Candidate Information