Research Associate in Cellular Agriculture

About the role

The recently funded EPSRC Sustainable Manufacturing Hub ‘CARMA’ (Cellular Agriculture Manufacturing Hub) has the vision to transform food production, transitioning to an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable model in which novel cellular agriculture (cell ag) manufacturing systems complement traditional food production. Cell ag will enable the manufacture of staple foods, such as meat and palm oil, without the environmental and land impacts of traditional farming and associated ethical issues. This role is one of a network of researchers across five universities, and part of a wider international network of like-minded academic institutions and companies.

You will provide subject-specific research expertise and undertake specific research for Work Package 1 in Professor Marianne Ellis’ lab. You will also carry out interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary work across the other work packages (see Carma Project (carmahub.co.uk) for an overview of work packages).

This role will focus on addressing fundamental biochemical questions concerning the scale up of tissue engineering bioreactors for cellular agriculture applications. You will work with a range of bioreactor types in Prof Ellis’ lab to elucidate fluid dynamic and thermodynamic correlations and how these effect cell culture. The role is predominantly lab based but use of in silico modelling would be desirable.

This position is offered on a full time basis for 3 years from 1st January 2025 to 31st December 2027.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

About you

Our ideal candidate will have:

• A PhD degree in bioprocessing, biochemical engineering, chemical engineering, or equivalent significant relevant experience and professional qualification
• 1-2 years postdoctoral experience
• Significant depth and breadth of specialist knowledge of biochemical engineering fundamentals to contribute to research programmes and to the development of departmental research activities
• Awareness of latest developments in the field of research and in research design plus potential to publish in high quality, peer reviewed journals
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload to meet required deadlines
• Excellent oral, interpersonal and written communication skills
• Commitment to working within professional and ethical codes of conduct
• Innovation and developing creative solutions 
• Tenacity – working to achieve own and team objectives and to overcome obstacles 
• Commitment to safe, ethical and sustainable working practices

What we can offer you:

• A very generous employer contributory pension scheme
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• We are a family-friendly University and with an increasingly agile workforce, are open to flexible working arrangements
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities
• A number of support options available for new and existing staff to help with the cost of some immigration expenses which you may be eligible for: Relocation allowance, Visa Reimbursement, Interest-Free Loan.

Salary: Starting from £37,999, rising to £45,163