Working at Durham University

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Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page

The Role and Department
Biosciences is one of the very best departments in the UK (2^nd Guardian 2027, 4^th Complete University Guide 2027) and it has an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and the employability of our students. The department provides a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment.

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environmental Engineering and Microbiology to join CARMA – the Co-selection of Antimicrobial Resistance by Metals Alliance. CARMA is a large, transdisciplinary UKRI-funded research programme investigating how metal pollution in rivers and wastewater co-selects for antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and what this means for human health, environmental regulation and intervention. It is a collaboration between colleagues in the UK and India, bringing together Durham University, Imperial College London, the University of Birmingham, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Pondicherry University, with environmental engineers, microbiologists, infection specialists, modellers, economists, genomic experts, patients and practitioners.

This post is based in the Department of Biosciences but has substantial engineering content, focused on water quality, water chemistry and environmental measurement. The post-holder will lead the design and delivery of harmonised environmental sampling at an array of river sites in Northern England, and work with partners in India who are carrying out parallel sampling on the Ganges, Yamuna and near Chennai, so that samples are collected and analysed in the same way at every site.

Working with Professor David Graham and Dr Marcos Quintela-Baluja, the post-holder will develop a structured sampling plan with our Indian partners; oversee sample collection and processing, including culture-based microbiology, metal and water chemistry analyses, DNA extraction and preparation of samples for genomic and metagenomic sequencing; and build a well-organised project archive and database that makes the field data available to all partners. A central part of the role is to act as the interface between field sampling and the project’s bioinformatics, modelling, economics and clinical teams, turning field observations into consistent, well-documented datasets that those colleagues can use. Detailed bioinformatic analysis will be carried out by a second PDRA and by partners elsewhere in the project. Therefore, the role requires working knowledge of metagenomics, bioinformatics, and statistics; modelling and economics can be learned on the job.

The post reports to Professor David Graham and is co-managed by Dr Marcos Quintela-Baluja. Hybrid working is possible. Because the role involves laboratory and field work, the post-holder will normally be expected on site in Durham three to four days a week, although we are happy to discuss flexible arrangements. A full driving licence is required to reach field sites.

Key responsibilities:

To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
To publish high-quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
To interact with and support students involved in project fieldwork and sample processing, including students at partner institutions in India, as appropriate.
To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.
To design, with the Principal Investigator and partners in the UK and India, a structured and harmonised sampling plan for river sediment, water and wastewater samples.
To lead and oversee UK field sampling campaigns across wet and dry seasons, including sample collection, labelling, chain of custody, storage and shipment between sites.
To work with partners in India to ensure that sampling procedures and analytical methods are identical across all sites, including a one-week visit to India early in the post.
To oversee and perform sample processing, including culture-based microbiology (selective plating and multidrug-resistance screening), total and bioavailable metal and water chemistry analyses, DNA extraction, and sample preparation for genomic and metagenomic sequencing.
To jointly supervise, with the Principal Investigator, a research technician, including planning, allocating and checking laboratory and field work.
To create and maintain a structured project archive and database of samples, metadata and results, accessible to partners across the project.
To contextualise field data and organise it into consistent, well-documented formats for colleagues undertaking bioinformatic, modelling, economic, and clinical analyses.
To ensure that field and laboratory work complies with health and safety, risk assessment and research data management requirements.

This post is fixed term for 24 months (anticipated 15 January 2027 to 14 January 2029). The post is funded by a transdisciplinary UKRI research grant (CARMA) and is tied to that time-limited project; funding for the post is available for this fixed period only.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 15th January 2027.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Contact Information

Department contact for academic-related enquiries

Professor David Graham – david.w.graham@durham.ac.uk

Dr Marcos Quintela-Baluja – marcos.quintela-baluja@durham.ac.uk

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to fos.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).

How to Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What to Submit

All applicants are asked to submit:

Your CV
A cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the essential criteria set out in the person specification of the job description.
A supporting statement (no more than two pages) explaining how your experience meets the essential criteria, with particular emphasis on hands-on field sampling, culture-based microbiology and metal/water chemistry analysis, and giving examples that show your ability to organise and manage complex work (e.g. sampling campaigns, sample archives or datasets).

Next Steps

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person, and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the project team. The assessment will last approximately 45 minutes: a 10-minute presentation, followed by questions on the presentation and an interview. In the presentation, candidates should briefly introduce themselves and their experience, then outline how they would design a harmonised sampling plan across the UK and Indian sites and organise the resulting field data so that it can be used by bioinformatics, modelling, economic and clinical colleagues. We anticipate that interviews will take place in December 2026 [date to be confirmed].

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.

If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application.

The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Leader status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

A good first degree in environmental engineering, microbiology, environmental science or a related subject.
A PhD in environmental engineering, microbiology, environmental science or a related subject.

Experience

Experience in conducting high quality academic research.
Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
Demonstrable ability to present research papers at international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
Hands-on experience of culture-based microbiology (e.g. selective plating, isolation and antimicrobial resistance screening).
Experience of metal and water chemistry analysis (e.g. total and bioavailable metals, nutrients, BOD/COD, organic carbon).
Experience of environmental field sampling, and of designing structured experiments or sampling campaigns.
Knowledge of metagenomics, bioinformatics and statistics sufficient to prepare samples and structure data for downstream analysis by specialists.

Skills

10. Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.

11. Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines

12. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

13. Excellent organisational skills, with evidence of planning and managing complex work, samples or datasets.

14. Ability to supervise and coordinate the work of technical staff.

15. A full driving licence valid in the UK or a firm commitment to obtain a license within six months of hiring.

16. Willingness to undertake outdoor fieldwork in the UK and to travel to India for one week early in the post.

Desirable Criteria

Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.
A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.
Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.
Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals.
Knowledge of mathematical modelling and/or economic evaluation.
Experience of working in low- and middle-income countries and/or in international, multidisciplinary teams.
Experience of building and managing research databases or sample archives (e.g. LIMS, relational databases, FAIR data principles).
Experience of preparing samples for, or initiating, genomic or metagenomic sequencing.
Research experience in antimicrobial resistance or environmental microbiology.
Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.

SECONDMENT

The post is fixed term for a 2 year period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.

Version 07-2026

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environmental Engineering and Microbiology

Requirements

Job Description

Education

Skills