Assistant Professor in Theoretical Biological (Microbiome) Modelling

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Job Description - Assistant Professor in Theoretical Biological (Microbiome) Modelling

Job Number:

Department: Engineering

Contract Type: Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time

Contract Duration: Permanent

Working Arrangements: Monday to Friday

Closing Date

03-Apr-2025, 10:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

Working at Durham University

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. As one of the UK's leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career while enjoying a high-quality work/life balance.

The Department

The Department of Engineering at Durham University is continuing a period of strategic growth. This is an exciting opportunity to join an expanding, unified Engineering Department which is recognised as one of the very best in the UK.

This role is for an Assistant Professor with expertise in theoretical biological modelling in the field of complex microbial systems ideally integrated soil plant microbial systems. The role will concentrate on research for the first three years, with a minimal amount of teaching. Thereafter, the role will include teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

The successful candidate will join the SMART (Soil Microbiome Augmentation and Restoration Technologies) Soils team, led by Professor Karen Johnson. Our ambition is to be a world-leading Institute of Living Soils by 2030.

This post offers an exciting opportunity to make a major contribution to the development of internationally excellent research and (in due course) teaching while allowing you unrivalled opportunities to progress and embed your career in an exciting and progressive institution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Pursue high-quality research in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
• Develop plans for national and international funding opportunities.
• Contribute to teaching and research supervision.
• Enhance microbiome and biological modelling education.
• Contribute to the research environment in the Department.
• Deliver lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Engage in the administrative work of the Department.
• Attract and supervise research students.
• Carry out other duties as specified by the Head of Department.

Person Specification

Candidates applying for this post should meet all the essential criteria:

Research

• Good first degree and a PhD in Environmental Engineering, Biosciences, Soil Science or a related subject.
• Evidence of high-quality research outputs, with some recognized as world-class.
• Evidence of a personal research plan supporting the Department's strategy.
• Research experience in modelling microbial systems.

Education

• Development and delivery of high-quality teaching.
• Evidence of contribution to new programme development.
• Engagement in the design of excellent teaching programmes.

Service, Citizenship and Values

• Participation in departmental administrative activities.
• Engagement in leadership roles in an academic context.
• Excellent communication skills.

Contact Information

Department contact for academic-related enquiries

If you encounter technical difficulties when submitting your application, please send your name along with a brief description of the problem to

How to Apply

We prefer to receive applications online. Please note that in submitting your application, we will be processing your data.

What to Submit

• A CV
• A covering letter detailing your experience and strengths.
• A personal research plan for the next 3-5 years.
• Four significant pieces of written work.

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process.

All applications will be considered; short-listed candidates will be invited to the University for assessments and interviews.