About this role
Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 November 2026, 11:59 PM (UK).
About the Role
You will join the Bending group/team in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick University.
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/people/gbending/.
You will undertake research on plant-microbe interactions in the research group of Professor Gary Bending in the School of Life Sciences, working on the European Research Council (ERC) Advanced grant project ‘Rhizosphere Rhythms: Unravelling Diurnal Microbiome Dynamics and Their Role in Plant–Soil Interactions’. You will design and undertake experiments with synthetic bacterial communities to investigate the way in which the plant circadian clock controls rhythmicity of the rhizosphere microbiome via exudation and plant immune responses. You will liaise closely with collaborators in the UK and overseas, and with other research staff working on the project.
We and the wider University of Warwick environment offer substantial opportunities for professional development including regular opportunities to attend international conferences.
Any requests for further information about the role can be directed to Prof. Gary Bending- [email protected].
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description (link here).
About You
We are looking for someone with expertise in molecular microbiology, environmental microbiology or plant-microbe interactions.
Applicants should be proficient in molecular biology techniques for profiling microbial community composition and abundance, and experience handling synthetic bacterial communities, phages or protists in culture would be an advantage.
If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant at the top of level 5 within the University grade structure. Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of the level 6 of the University grade structure, unless exceptional experience applies to warrant a higher salary.
About the Department
The School of Life Sciences (SLS) is a cohesive, enthusiastic community producing world-class, high-impact bioscience research and teaching within an open, friendly, inclusive and highly collaborative environment.
For further information about the School of Life Sciences please see our website at:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci.
We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent research and teaching environment. Our workplace ethic has enabled us to gain the Athena SWAN Silver award. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all groups with protected characteristics traditionally under-represented in STEM fields. As part of our ongoing commitment to addressing gender equality under the Athena Swan charter mark, we would particularly encourage and welcome applications from female academics.
In your application, you can also include any career breaks you may have taken (e.g. parental/caring/long-term sick leave, part-time work, secondments) or any periods where you were unable or restricted to work because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Full details of the duties and selection criteria for this role can be found in the vacancy advert on the University of Warwick's jobs pages. You will be routed to this when you click on the 'Apply' button.