Postdoctoral Research Associate in Molecular Biosciences

A New Science of Death: Microbial Mortality as a Window into the Architecture and Meaning of Life

We invite applications for five postdoctoral research fellowships funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation in a project entitled 'A New Science of Death: Microbial Mortality as a Window into the Architecture and Meaning of Life'. This project is the first step in our long-term scientific goal of discovering how the ways in which living organisms die have shaped life from its origins to the present day. The project combines experimental science with sustained engagement from scholars in the arts, humanities and social sciences (AHSS), creating a uniquely interdisciplinary framework for understanding death as both a biological process and societal phenomenon.

Project Director Prof Wilson Poon (Edinburgh) and co-Director Prof Cait MacPhee will coordinate a team of scientists – Prof Filippo Menolascina and Dr Aidan Brown (Edinburgh), Prof Teuta Pilizota (Cambridge), Prof Stuart West (Oxford) and Prof Martin Cann (Durham) – to study how microbes die and the fate of the biomolecules that remain in the ecosystems they occupied. Throughout the project, these scientists will engage in an ongoing dialogue with scholars from AHSS, coordinated by Prof Jane Calvert (Edinburgh) and Dr Fred Simmons (Center for Theological Sciences, Princeton).

The Durham work package examines how dead cells are broken down into nutrients for other living organisms, working with Prof Martin Cann.

The Role

Death is ubiquitous in biology and fundamentally important to life. Across ecosystems, nutrients locked within dead organisms are recycled and reused to support the growth of new life. Yet not all nutrients are equally valuable. Some biomolecules can be used immediately, whereas others require substantial processing before they can be assimilated. This raises a fundamental question: have organisms evolved mechanisms that continue to function after death, transforming cellular material into forms that other organisms can more readily reuse?

Our recent work identified the bacterial Lon protease as one such mechanism, demonstrating that cellular proteins can continue to be degraded after death into fragments readily taken up by neighbouring cells. We now hypothesise that this phenomenon is widespread and that many bacterial enzymes possess dual functions: roles in the physiology of living cells and previously unrecognised post-mortem activities that promote nutrient recycling.

To test this hypothesis, the successful candidate will combine transcriptomics, metabolomics, genetics and large-scale Escherichia coli mutant collections to identify gene products that function after death and determine how they contribute to nutrient acquisition by living bacteria. The project will combine experimental microbiology with systems-level approaches to uncover the molecular mechanisms linking death to nutrient recycling. The work will provide fundamental insights into how bacterial communities recycle nutrients and how post-mortem biochemical processes shape ecosystem function.

The postdoctoral researcher will be based in the laboratory of Professor Martin Cann in the Department of Biosciences at Durham University and will be part of a major interdisciplinary consortium involving researchers at Durham, Edinburgh, Oxford and Cambridge.

Key Responsibilities

- Understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team through presentations and discussions leading to research papers at conferences and in publications.
- Prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences including research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
- 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.
- Assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
- Conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator.
- Work with the Principal Investigator and other colleagues to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator and offering creative or innovative solutions.
- Liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future research collaboration.
- Plan and manage own research activity and research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
- Deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
- Be involved in student supervision as appropriate and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
- Contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming.
- Engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
- Engage in continuing professional development by participation in teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees and by attending relevant training and development courses.
- Play a full role in three annual workshops exploring the theological, philosophical and sociological dimensions of the emerging science of microbial death.

Person Specification – Essential Criteria

Qualifications:
- A good first degree in biological sciences or chemistry.
- A PhD in molecular bioscience, biochemistry, microbiology or a related subject, or be close to being awarded.

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 national and international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
- Experience in molecular biosciences.
- Experience in microbiology.

Skills:
- Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
- Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Person Specification – Desirable Criteria

Experience:
- 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.
- Experience in molecular evolution.

Skills:
- Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.

Benefits

- 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days (42 days total). The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
- Generous pension scheme with automatic enrolment into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
- Ample parking across campus, cycle to work scheme, discounts with local bus and train companies.
- Tusker Car Benefit Scheme for leasing a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with tax and National Insurance savings.
- Comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications.
- Wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- On-site nursery rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Generous maternity and adoption leave policies.
- Volunteering opportunities in the local community.
- Exclusive discounts via benefits portal.
- Various salary sacrifice schemes.
- Potential help with removal costs and dedicated team support for those relocating to Durham.
- Visa cost coverage and interest-free loan scheme for dependant visas where applicable.