Research Fellow, Wellcome-Wolfson institute for Experimental Medicine

Application closing date: 04/03/2024
Salary: £37,841 - £41,331 per annum
Job category/type: Research

The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences (MDBS) at Queen’s University Belfast, is currently seeking to appoint an exceptional candidate to the post of Research Fellow.   

The postholder will join the Inflammasome Biology research team led by Dr Rebecca Coll at the Wellcome-Wolfson institute for Experimental Medicine. The position will involve working as part of an MRC-funded research programme that will investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the inflammatory response to ferritin, and how inflammasome activation and ferritin contribute to the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).    

This project will investigate the ferritin-inflammasome axis in a range of human cell types and patient samples using biochemical, genetic, and immunological approaches. The post is a senior role in the team and as such, successful applicants will have responsibilities in independent research, supervision, planning, day-to-day lab management, collaborations, and outreach.    

The post is suited to a highly ambitious and collaborative individual and is available for 3 years.

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following criteria:   

• Have or about to obtain* a PhD in Immunology, Respiratory Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a closely related area. (*must have obtained PhD within 3 months of start date).
• Substantial research experience in immunology, respiratory biology, biochemistry, or cell biology.
• Extensive hands-on experience in at least three of the following:
  1. Isolation and culture of primary human cell types such as macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils, lung epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and culture of cell lines.
  2. Assays for cell signalling/innate immune responses including ELISAs, Western blotting and cell death.
  3. Gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9 and knockdown approaches such as siRNA.
  4. Flow cytometry.
  5. Immunofluorescence microscopy and confocal microscopy.

• Recent high-quality original research publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with career stage.  

These posts are available on fixed term contracts for 36 months, or available until 30 April 2027, whichever is sooner. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.        

At Queen’s our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a staff member you will become part of a vibrant organisational culture, which will provide you with the opportunity to achieve your full potential and enhance your career through a continuous focus on learning and development.  

We offer an excellent employment package that includes:

• Great terms & conditions
• Pension schemes
• Flexible working by enabling you to design your working week in collaboration with your manager through a blend of remote and office working
• Family-friendly initiatives
• Career development opportunities
• Support for health & mental wellbeing
• Generous holiday entitlement of 8.4 weeks a year (made up of 23 days annual leave, 10 closure days and 9 bank holidays)   

Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We have created an inclusive culture by establishing staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.     

We also subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI in addition to Athena Swan. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit: www.qub.ac.uk/diversity; www.qub.ac.uk/qgi and www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/StaffNetworks/   

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Derek Brazil at d.brazil@qub.ac.uk 

Candidate Information
About the Institute
Attractive Reward Package
Further Information for International Applicants