Role Description

We are seeking a passionate and skilled researcher to join our groundbreaking research on climate-informed food safety and pathogen impact modeling at Cranfield University.

About the Role

You will join the Bioinformatics genomic informatics team as part of the Horizon-Europe’s . The project aims to enable for the first time a holistic, systemic approach to food safety risk assessment across the supply chain in view of climate change models with the use of digital technologies, including AI.

This role involves leading innovative research to develop climate-informed impact models for enteric pathogens in fresh produce and mycotoxin contamination in short-grain cereals under varying climate scenarios. You will conduct climate-controlled experiments to study mycotoxin production, generate transcriptomic profiles using RNA-Seq, and identify key mycotoxin-producing gene clusters. Leveraging integrated transcriptomic and climate data, you will develop and optimize predictive models for forecasting mycotoxin levels, ensuring precision beyond traditional approaches. The role also involves collaborating with international partners, contributing to teaching activities, and disseminating research findings through high-impact publications and conferences.

About You

You will have a PhD in Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related field (or be close to completion). For Research Assistant, you will have an MSc in Bioinformatics or related fields with demonstratable experience in genomic and transcriptomic analysis. You should demonstrate expertise in designing and conducting growth chamber experiments, as well as bioinformatics skills for RNA-Seq transcriptomic analysis, including assembly, differential expression, and functional annotation. Experience with molecular biology techniques and a strong understanding of Fusarium species and mycotoxin contamination mechanisms are ideal. Proficiency in using high-throughput sequencing technologies, computational tools, and scripting languages (e.g., Python, R) is required. Familiarity with predictive modeling techniques and integrating climate data with biological data will be advantageous.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact .

The Bioinformatics Group at Cranfieldis a computer-based group with research focusing on the development and application of computational methods and AI in order to unravel the complexity of biological systems. We run and administer our in-house high-performance-computing facility for NGS data analysis, including de-novo assembly, global transcriptomics, and genotyping. We also have a long track record in data science and machine learning.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more .

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity . Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working .

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.