Core Scientist in Comparative Immunology

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Edinburgh seeks a PDRA/Core Scientist to join the Comparative Immunology Group. The role involves leading zebrafish research, contributing to vaccine development, and supporting the group's broader research activities, with a competitive salary and comprehensive staff benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Competitive pension schemes

Family-friendly initiatives

Qualifications

• Very good knowledge of mammals' immune system.
• Demonstrated experience in zebrafish related tasks.
• Extensive experience in high-end microscopy.

Responsibilities

• Lead components of research on immune responses to infections.
• Support the broader research of the Comparative Immunology Group.
• Co-supervise students and support ethical approvals.

Skills

Knowledge of the immune system

Lab work affinity

Zebrafish rearing and screening

Microscopy execution and analysis

Tools

Fiji

Imaris

Job description

Grade UE07: £40,497.00 - £ 48,149.00 per annum

CMVM/The Roslin Institute/Immunology

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Open-ended with a contract review date 31 March 2028

We are looking for a PDRA/Core Scientist to join the Comparative Immunology Group of Prof. Maria Forlenza.

The Opportunity:

The post is a core scientist position within the research group of Prof. Maria Forlenza, based at The Roslin Institute part of the University of Edinburgh. The post holder will report directly to Prof. Maria Forlenza. The core scientist will have the opportunity to lead components of research, especially on immune responses to (trypanosome) infections in zebrafish and is expected to play a crucial role in liaising collaboration between (zebrafish) scientists at The Roslin and at Little France, where a larger zebrafish PIs community exists. The core scientist will also be co-responsible for the maintenance of the (small) zebrafish facility within The Roslin.

While leading on zebrafish research, the core scientist is expected to strongly contribute to and support the broader research of the Comparative Immunology Group (CIG) which includes studies on the immune system of animals and vaccine development in various vertebrate species: aquacultures species (common carp, Nile tilapia, rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon), and farmed animals (chicken and pigs).

The development of (intestinal) organoid cultures will also gain importance in the Group.

Contributions will be through (co-)supervision of students, including postgraduate, undergraduate and visiting scholars, and through discussions at group, division and institute meetings. The core scientist will also be expected to support the writing, acquisition and documentation of project licences aimed at receiving ethical approval for the use of live experimental animals and to also support wider institute’s activities via developing collaborations (extended also to the Vet School and Little France), serving on committees, and/or contributing to public engagement.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• A very good (demonstrated) knowledge of the immune system of mammals and of other animals.
• A strong affinity for lab work.
• Demonstrated experience in zebrafish rearing, screening, genotyping and in the generation of transgenic as well as (CRISPR) mutant zebrafish lines.
• Good knowledge of fish trypanosomes and trypanoplasma cultures.
• Extensive experience in high-end microscopy execution and analysis, including the use of spinning disk, laser scanning, two photon microscopes, high-speed cameras for live imaging studies, and Fiji or Imaris software.

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Application Information

Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

- CV.

- Cover letter (max 1 A4 clearly stating your motivation for this specific position).

- Contact details of up to 3 references and their relation to the applicant.

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab ).

The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 6 June 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.