Research Fellow in Fungal Metabolic Engineering

Organisation/Company: Cranfield University

Department: HR & Development

Group: Research

Field: Environmental science

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1), Recognised Researcher (R2)

Positions: Master Positions

Country: United Kingdom

Application Deadline: 27 Apr 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 37

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme

Reference Number: 5055

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Environmental Sustainability

Research Fellow in Fungal Metabolic Engineering

Fixed Term Contract until 31 July 2028

Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £34,450 per annum (if close to completing PhD), or in the range of £37,337 to £39,864 per annum (if PhD obtained)

The newly established MCAM, which has been expanded from the Applied Mycology Group, is expected to grow from four staff to 36 by 2031-32. As part of the creation of the new centre, we are growing our team and are recruiting outstanding research talent to support research in 6 core areas of our research and teaching within our Environment and Agrifood subject areas.

About the Role

This position supports academic colleagues within the Magan Centre of Applied Mycology (MCAM) who are actively securing and delivering projects in the field of Fungal Metabolic Engineering. You will assume responsibility for a defined set of tasks within ongoing research initiatives funded through various sources, including industry partners, the EU, and UKRI. While the role may involve a combination of research and teaching, it will also require effective organisation, management, and coordination of activities.

About You

Talented researchers who are enthusiastic about research in Fungal Metabolic Engineering, have a PhD relevant to the area (or close to completion), or have equivalent significant experience in metabolic engineering of fungal strains for sustainable biomanufacturing of green products and process design, and want to make a difference and are keen to be part of a dynamic and professional team, are invited to apply.

Ability to prioritise tasks, work under pressure and strict deadlines to meet key milestones whilst ensuring excellent verbal, written communication and interpersonal skills will be required.

You will be able to demonstrate a promising track record of achievements, appropriate to your research area and career stage including publications in the leading international peer-reviewed journals of your respective field.

To be successful in this role you will be comfortable with change, willing to work flexibly, and open to new ways of doing things. Importantly, you will be able to collaborate with and influence people and build relationships quickly, and you will be eager to play a full role in the fast-moving and exciting MCAM project.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

The project will be part of the Environmental Sustainability Theme, one of the themes at Cranfield University offering world-class and niche post-graduate level research, education, training and consultancy. The MCAM will aim to expand the Applied Mycology Group's expertise beyond food and expand to the other Themes at Cranfield.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr Vinod Kumar, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Biomanufacturing, on (E): vinod.kumar@cranfield.ac.uk

Closing date for receipt of applications: 27 April 2025

Deadline to fill the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion complementary survey: 1 May 2025
(This is mandatory but does not form part of the selection process, the surveys will not be shared with the recruiting manager or shortlisting panel)

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.