Microbiology Research Assistant Cardiff, Wales
Job description
The ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University provides food businesses with technical, operational and commercial support to enable them to compete more effectively. ZERO2FIVE employs experienced food and drink technologists, business specialists and senior lecturers and professors. Collectively, this team specialise in all aspects of food and drink processing, manufacturing, operational and technical issues. ZERO2FIVE can draw on expertise within Cardiff Metropolitan University which includes internationally recognised experts in food science, nutrition, dietetics, food legislation, environmental health, trading standards, new product development and biomedical sciences. Our team of internationally recognised food industry experts are available to assist our clients across a variety of food disciplines including baking, dairy and meat technologies, hygiene management, packaging design, technical management systems and new product development. The business team can provide marketing, market analysis, new product development, financial and trade engagement support. We can also assist companies in sourcing funding, a major stumbling block in the development of many businesses. The state-of-the-art facilities within ZERO2FIVE are available for use by businesses and schools. These include a consumer sensory suite, 4 pilot sized plants, a development kitchen and a consumer research kitchen.
The opportunity
This Microbiology Research Assistant role provides the opportunity to work within the research team at the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre (FIC), at the Cardiff Metropolitan University School of Sport and Health Sciences. The Food Safety Research Group undertakes research and contractual projects related to the decontamination of surfaces and food products, as well as investigating ways of improving the shelf life of such products using gaseous ozone.
The post holder will be responsible for designing, carrying out and reporting results of research projects related to the decontamination of surfaces using ozone and UVC. Research activity will involve working with category two pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, and determining the efficacy of ozone to inhibit such pathogens on selected surfaces and food products. The post holder will be responsible for the day to day running of a bioaerosol chamber, planning their own workload and completing laboratory work to a high standard. There will be opportunity and support to publish findings within academic journals, and present at national and international conferences. There will also be opportunity for the post holder to gain experience in supervising BSc and MSc research projects, full specialist training will be provided to the successful applicant.
What you’ll do – key duties
- Assist in the supervision of student projects (BSc and MSc).
- Undertake basic research, for example by preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments.
- Undertake general microbiological analysis and method development.
- Write up results of own research.
- Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
- Present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research, e.g. steering groups.
What you’ll bring – essential experience & strengths
- Experience of microbiological research or equivalent.
- Ability to support the development of and plan research objectives, projects or proposals.
- Ability to employ appropriate methods for disseminating research findings.
- Ability to communicate and disseminate complex and conceptual ideas in a variety of ways – presentations at conferences, reports on findings, publications, feedback etc.
- Ability to use appropriate IT software: use of Microsoft Office, statistical analysis software (e.g. SPSS) and qualitative data analysis software (e.g. NVivo).
- Undertake general microbiological analysis as directed.
Why join Cardiff Metropolitan University?
In 2020, the University was named The Sunday Times ‘Welsh University of the Year 2021’; in 2021 it became the Times Higher Education ‘UK and Ireland University of the Year 2022’; and in 2022 it was ranked the top university in the UK in the People and Planet Green League.
We are a values-based University. We are proud of our culture and we are there for our people. Our community spirit is the golden thread that underpins our values and behaviours. We support each other, we are kind to one another, and we are one team; we are One Cardiff Met. We encourage and embrace inclusion that enables everyone to feel respected and able to perform at their best.
In addition, the University offers highly competitive terms and conditions including:
- Annual leave of 25 days, rising to 30 days after 1 years’ service, plus 12 bank holiday / concessionary days (pro rata if part time).
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with generous contributions.
- Flexible and remote working opportunities.
- Excellent family friendly policies.
- Award winning sports and fitness facilities with subsidised membership, plus subsidised physiotherapy/complementary therapy/sports massage.
- Access to all library facilities.
- Salary sacrifice schemes including cycle to work.
- Free family access to our independent specialist wellbeing support provider, Health Assured.
If you would like to talk with us about this opportunity please contact James Blaxland, at [email protected] to arrange an informal discussion about the role and requirements.
The University is committed to creating a highly inclusive culture. We offer family friendly and flexible working arrangements and a range of staff networks, forums and events to support and develop our people. We warmly welcome applications from those traditionally underrepresented in the higher education sector.
Further information
Please read our Candidate Pack or visit our staff recruitment website for information about working for us, our culture, benefits, work-life balance and our career progression and development opportunities.
