Job Description

SCELSE is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Research Fellow to join our team in the study of biofilm biology and mechanisms. The successful candidate will focus on understanding the complexities of mixed-species biofilm communities and the extracellular matrix in which they inhabit. This role involves interdisciplinary research to unravel the intricacies of naturally occurring biofilms, employing advanced biophysical and microbiological approaches.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on the mechanisms of biofilm aggregation and formation.
• Develop and utilize experimentally tractable and reproducible mixed-species biofilm communities as model systems.
• Investigate the role of quorum sensing and quenching in complex biofilm communities.
• Apply community ecology theory to complex microbial systems.
• Study the biophysics of biofilms and the extracellular matrix, including polysaccharides, eDNA, and exoproteins.
• Perform structure-function analyses using combined ‘omics’ approaches, such as metatranscriptomics and metabolomics.
• Develop imaging-based approaches to investigate the three-dimensional organization of biofilm communities.
• Target key physical-chemical parameters to link community interactions and biological functions.
• Understand ecological traits important for the assembly, maintenance, and function of diverse communities, including resilience, cooperation, competition, and fitness.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Bioengineering, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Strong background in microbial ecology, biofilm research, and biophysics.
• Experience with advanced imaging techniques and ‘omics’ approaches.
• Proven ability to conduct independent research and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with mixed-species biofilm communities and extracellular matrix research.
• Familiarity with community ecology theory and its application to microbial systems.
• Knowledge of quorum sensing mechanisms and their role in biofilm communities.