Research Fellow In Mathematical Biology School of Mathematics 106771 Grade 7

Position Details

School of Mathematics

Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range 36636 to 46049 with potential progression once in post to 48822

Grade: 7

Full Time Fixed Term contract up to March 2029

Closing date: 17th December 2025

Background

The School of Mathematics at the University of Birmingham welcomes applications for a Research Fellow in Mathematical Biology to work with Professor Sara Jabbari (School of Mathematics) Professor Jessica Blair (Institute of Microbiology and Infection) and Dr Tim Overton (School of Chemical Engineering) on an exciting BBSRC funded project Understanding the rules of impermeability in Gram negative bacteria.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team of researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham Imperial College London and the Quadram Institute working together to understand how to maximise antibiotic accumulation inside bacterial cells. The successful candidate for this post will develop predictive mathematical models of accumulation parameterising these against data provided by the microbiologists mass spectrometrists and bioinformaticians on the team (candidates with primary expertise in these three areas should direct their application to the relevant post).

The post is available for a period of 36 months with the potential to extend to 60. The anticipated start date is 1^st March 2026 (with some flexibility).

The successful candidate will join a community of researchers in the Mathematical Biology & Healthcare group within the School of Mathematics University of Birmingham. The group consists of 15 permanent staff as well as large cohort of postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers and has proven track-record in mentoring and supporting the development of early-career researchers. The profile and research interests of the group may be found at: should have a PhD (or near to completion) in Applied Mathematics awarded or submitted at the time of taking up the position. Experience of applying mathematics within microbiology or a related field is desirable.

The School of Mathematics aims to provide a supportive and friendly environment for staff and research fellows to develop as researchers and lecturers. The School is a supportive and people-focused friendly environment committed to equality diversity and inclusivity. We encourage applications from the widest community and provide equal opportunities in our recruitment processes.

The School of Mathematics holds an Athena SWAN Silver award. Athena SWAN is a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality representation progression and success for all in academia. The School also supports the London Mathematical Society Good Practice Scheme whose aim is to support Mathematics departments to embed equal opportunities for women within their working practices and is a member of the Piscopia initiative which forms a UK-based community of women and underrepresented genders in mathematics. The University of Birmingham holds the Advance HEs Race Equality Charter Bronze award a framework through which we are working to self-reflect identify and remove barriers standing in the way of Black Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. The University of Birmingham is an equal opportunity employer and a Disability Confident employer.

In addition to completing the application form you should make sure to upload the following: a cover letter a CV (including full publication list) and a summary of your previous research experience (2 pages maximum).

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids

• Operate within area of specialism

• Analyse and interpret research findings and results

• Contribute to generating funding

• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues asset or company sales IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods such as scientific experimentation literature reviews and research interviews
• Present research outputs including drafting academic publications or parts thereof for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in the mathematical sciences or similar and a PhD degree (or near to completion) in applied mathematics ideally with experience of applying mathematics to problems in microbiology or a related field
• Ideally experience of parameterisation of mathematical models from experimental data and experience of interdisciplinary working
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort

• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquiries to Professor Sara Jabbari email:

Use of AI in applications:We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website.