Postdoctoral Research Associate (Newcastle, GB)

Salary: £35,608.00 - £46,049.00 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 6 January 2026

The Role

A post is available for an experienced, enthusiastic and highly motivated Research Associate to join the laboratory of Dr Charles Winterhalter, focusing on investigating DNA damage repair mechanisms during Staphylococcus aureus infection (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/people/profile/charleswinterhalter.html). This Wellcome Trust funded position is based at the Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology (CBCB) within Newcastle University Biosciences Institute.

S. aureus is the leading Gram-positive pathogen causing death from bacterial infections worldwide and is becoming increasingly resistant to our last-resort antibiotics. During infection and antimicrobial treatment, reactive oxygen species are thought to promote the introduction of DNA breaks on the bacterial genome, thereby resulting in genetic instability and cell death if not repaired. Yet despite decades of study, fundamental mechanisms underpinning bacterial clearance or survival during infection remain poorly understood. Specifically, the interplay between DNA replication, occurrence of DNA breaks and dynamics of damage repair processes are unclear.

This post will involve laboratory-based research focused on understanding bacterial DNA damage repair mechanisms in the context of infection, and in response to antimicrobial treatment. This project will combine genetics, advanced fluorescence microscopy, biochemistry and method development to decipher the molecular mechanisms enabling bacterial survival during infection.

The Winterhalter lab supports the values of a diverse, inclusive, and healthy research culture. We aim to foster a positive research environment that rewards logic, honesty, curiosity, accountability, and respect. Each member of the Winterhalter lab has their own project so that direct competition is avoided; knowledge sharing, organic collaborations, and constructive ideas are welcomed and encouraged.

This post is fixed term for a period of 36 months, with a start date early in 2026. For informal enquiries, please contact: [email protected].

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities

Plan and lead high quality research, effectively manage the research project, supervise and take responsibility for the research team Develop and carry out the specified project within agreed timelines using appropriate techniques and equipment, as outlined in the personal requirements Contribute ideas including enhancements to the technical and methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial added value to the team Publish multiple independent research findings in prominent peer reviewed journals over a substantial period of time Contribute to the preparation and writing up of scientific reviews for publication in reputable outlets appropriate to the field Disseminate research findings through seminar and conference presentations nationally and internationally May contribute to outreach events celebrating the public engagement of science Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research students, and take responsibility for their training Interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute, and actively seek out opportunities for interdisciplinary and collaborative research Help colleagues to interpret their data, to manage competing priorities, and to develop their research skills Identify and undertake a programme of professional development, including further training in research methods and other transferable skills Maintain highest academic standards and freedom, and work in accordance with university policies

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Substantial experience of analysing and interpreting data Substantial experience of delivering research projects Evidence of implementing and optimising laboratory methods Scientific publications relevant to the field of bacterial infection Experience of supervising and training staff/students Ability to work independently and as part of research teams Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others High level of analytical and problem-solving capability Substantial experience of research with clinically relevant staphylococcal pathogens Clear evidence of detailed knowledge and expertise in bacterial infection: Work with wax moth larvae Work with zebrafish including immunosuppressed models Clear evidence of detailed knowledge and expertise in antimicrobial mode of action during infection Experience with S. aureus genetics: Transformation via dual allelic exchange Transformation via phage transduction Plasmid extraction Temperature sensitive mutants Expertise in single cell fluorescence microscopy Evidence of experimental design and work with quantitative PCR Western blotting Growth and characterisation of bacterial biofilms General molecular biology General bacteriology Excellent scientific writing skills Ability to prioritise key tasks and carry out research project work within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and producing research to an appropriate standard Ability to present findings at national and international conferences

Attributes and Behaviour

Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively with others Capacity for original thought Willingness to work flexibly by mutual arrangement Clear commitment to a career in research Applicants should be ambitious with a demonstrable drive to succeed and produce work at the highest level

Qualifications

PhD in a relevant biosciences subject Master’s degree in a relevant biosciences subject Undergraduate degree in a relevant biosciences subject

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 28977