University of Warwick
Research Fellow (112033-0826)
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
About The Role
Informal Queries
For informal queries, please contact Ed Smith (Assistant Professor) at Ed.g.smith@warwick.ac.uk.
Project Title
NSF/BIO: The role of gene copy number variation in host-microbe interactions
Funder
BBSRC
We are seeking to appoint a Research Fellow to join a new project on “The role of gene copy number variation in host-microbe interactions”, supported by a BBRSC/NSF research grant. This collaboration with the Reitzel Lab at UNC Charlotte will address how immune gene copy number variation alters host responses to immune stimuli, shapes the microbiome, and governs host-pathogen interactions.
In this role, you will lead on aspects of the wider project that are aligned to your research expertise. You’ll be expected to integrate multi-omic datasets, perform whole organism experiments, and undertake subsequent molecular analyses.
About The Group/team
You will join the Smith Lab in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick University (please see https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/people/esmith/ and https://www.edwardgsmith.com)
We and the wider University of Warwick environment offer substantial opportunities for professional development including regular opportunities to attend international conferences.
About You
We are looking for someone with expertise in organismal biology or evolutionary ecology but we also welcome applications from people with backgrounds in developmental biology, immunology, genomics, or bioinformatics. You will have expertise in linking genomic variation to phenotype and a keen interest in structural variation and/or pangenomics. This should be supported by hands-on experience with 'omics' datasets (ideally including long-read sequencing data) and a background working with invertebrates or non-model species. Experience generating transgenic lines would be an advantage.
You are equally comfortable with wet-lab and computational work. You are a creative and independent researcher with strong problem-solving skills, able to work both as part of a collaborative team and on your own initiative.
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.
PhD Status
If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).
About The Department
School of Life Sciences
For further information about the School of Life Sciences please see our website at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci
We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent research and teaching environment. Our workplace ethic has enabled us to gain the Athena SWAN Silver award. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all groups with protected characteristics traditionally under-represented in STEM fields. As part of our ongoing commitment to addressing gender equality under the Athena Swan chartermark, we would particularly encourage and welcome applications from female academics.
About The University
We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**
Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.
*World University Ranking 2026, Complete University Guide 2026
**Research Excellence Framework 2021
How to Apply
Closing Deadline
Sunday 6th September 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)*
To apply, please click APPLY below and submit an application form by the closing deadline.
You will be asked to include a CV and Cover Letter. These documents should:
- Outline employment and education history (including your most recent employment).
- Demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the Job Description using clear examples.
Please ensure your application clearly evidences the essential criteria, as the hiring panel may not be able to shortlist your application if these are not demonstrated.**
Interview Date
To be confirmed
Start Date
1st October 2026
Applications must be submitted through the warwick-careers.tal.net portal before the closing deadline. We recommend completing your application form in good time, as the advert will automatically close at the deadline.
You are welcome to include any career breaks, such as parental leave, caring responsibilities, or long-term sickness absence. For guidance on how to format a cover letter, see here.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
What we Offer
We Provide a Comprehensive Range Of Benefits, Including
- An attractive pension scheme.
- 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
- Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
- Onsite childcare facilities.
- Excellent learning and development opportunities.
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements.
Where possible, we offer hybrid working arrangements that combine office-based and remote working. Opportunities for hybrid working will depend on the requirements of the role, business needs of the department and can be discussed during the recruitment process.
For more information, see here.
We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion
Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.
Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.
Find out more about our awards and accreditations.
We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.
Safeguarding & DBS
The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.
Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice. The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults). All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.
Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders
The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.
Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.
Job Description
JD Research Fellow (112033).pdf – 133KB Opens in a new window
Right to Work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills