Research Assistant/Associate H2 & MIC

Salary:

Research Assistant: £33,002 - £33,951 per annum

Reserach Associate: £35,608 - £46,049 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 11/09/2025

The Role

We are seeking a Research Assistant/Associate to join a pioneering research initiative assessing how hydrogen transport influences microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in pipeline systems.

As a Laboratory Research Assistant, you will execute core experimental work, simulating soil–pipeline environments under hydrogen exposure, measuring microbial activity and profiling microbial communities, and assessing corrosion damage to determine if hydrogen stimulates microbial activities that may promote corrossion and impact pipeline integrity.

You will set up and manage soil/sediment microcosms that replicate pipeline-adjacent conditions with controlled hydrogen levels. Measure changes in hydrogen concentration over time and analyse metabolites (e.g. hydrogen sulfide, volatile fatty acids, methane) that may have a detrimental impact on pipeline materials. You will perform microbial community profiling using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify microbial groups that have been associated with MIC (e.g. sulphate-reducing bacteria, methanogens, and acetogens).

You will record, analyze, and interpret experimental data; refine protocols and contribute to standard operating procedures and lab reports. You will also collaborate with Rosen colleagues to prepare a literature review to identify key knowledge gaps in the area.

The project is commercially funded by Rosen (https://www.rosen-group.com/en) a multinational engineering company and the post holder will work closely with Engineers and Materials experts in Rosen’s Offices in Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne. The project will be supported by a dedicated project manager from Rosen and you will work to milestones and deliverables agreed with the project manager.

At the University the work will be direct by Professor Ian M. Head who will also line manage the appointed Research Assistant.

Role holders will be provided with academic and pastoral support within the School including advice on career goals and opportunities. They will also have access to specialist training opportunities.

The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences is home to world-leading teaching and research across the Natural Sciences. With internationally renowned expertise the work of the school informs ground-breaking research and teaching at the intersection of this diverse community. 

To find out more about The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences click here

Informal enquiries can be made to Prof. Ian M Head ian.head@newcastle.ac.uk

Applications should be made through the Newcastle University jobs portal: https://jobs.ncl.ac.uk, where you are invited to provide evidence of how you meet the essential criteria required for the role outlined in ‘The Person’ by uploading a letter of application along with your Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Key Accountabilities

• Design and conduct research in support of the objectives of the research project.
• Monitor and, where appropriate, manage research resources (e.g. time, materials, finance, space and equipment).
• Ensure intellectual rigour and adherence to robust ethical standards to maintain integrity of research.
• Ensure a safe working environment adhering to and promoting the highest standards of health and safety in laboratory and field work.
• Play an active part in research networks, develop contacts internally and externally.
• Contribute to research group meetings.
• Contribute to the dissemination of research through authoring/co-authoring of outputs, delivering conference sessions and public engagement.
• Be aware of your own professional needs and take the initiative to undertake training and development where required.
• The role holder will report directly to the project PI, Professor Ian M. Head
• They will also work closely with colleagues in Rosen
• The project will be supported by a project manager in Rosen and together with the PI the role holder will be responsible for ensuring key milestones and deliverables are achieved in line with the project plan

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Hands-on experience with microbial/microcoms incubation techniques, soil/sediment chemical assays (e.g. sulfide, VFA analysis), gas analysis (e.g. hydrogen, methane, CO2) and       molecular biology methods for microbial community analysis (e.g. 16S rRNA gene sequencing).
• Skilled in operating analytical instruments, including gas and ion chromatographs.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication abilities; strong commitment to lab safety and collaborative research.
• Good subject knowledge including well-developed technical and methodological skills, especially in molecular biological and/or chemical methods.
• Appreciation of the importance of statistically robust experimental design
• Basic skills in statistical analysis and maintaining data integrity.
• Ability to work with external academic and non-academic research partners

Attributes and Behaviour

• Good analytical and problem-solving capacity.
• Organized, self-motivated and proactive
• Collaborative with good communication skills.
• Motivates others and encourages their commitment to achieving shared objectives.
• Proactively develops solutions to practical challenges.
• Develops effective working relationships with colleagues exhibiting strong networking skills to support collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in microbiology, biochemical engineering, earth science, or a related discipline.
• PhD (or be about to submit their PhD) in an area involving analysis of microbial processes in an engineering or environmental context

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 28556