Post-doctoral Researcher in Salmon Immunology and Vaccination

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Edinburgh seeks a post-doctoral researcher for a BBSRC project on salmon robustness. The role includes investigating immune system development and vaccination efficacy in salmon. Candidates must have a PhD in fish immunology and demonstrate strong experience in molecular techniques. This position offers a competitive salary and is based primarily on campus at the Roslin Institute.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Comprehensive staff benefits

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in fish/animal immunology.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience in disseminating findings at major conferences.

Responsibilities

• Investigate immune system development and function in salmon.
• Assess efficacy of vaccination strategies against diseases.
• Conduct hands-on laboratory work including vaccination trials.

Skills

Fish immunology and/or vaccination

Functional genomics

Molecular techniques

Excellent communication skills

Excellent organization and time management skills

Education

PhD in fish immunology

Tools

Single cell omics analysis

Job description

Grade UE07:£41,064 to £48,822 per annum

CMVM / Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: 3 years

A post-doctoral researcher position is available within a BBSRC project called“Drivers of salmon robustness”.This long-term Partnership with Mowi Scotland aims to make breakthrough scientific advances that will be applied in practice to enhance fish robustness and reduce mortality levels in Scottish Atlantic salmon farming. The position will take a lead role in investigating the effect of rearing temperature on immune system development and function, as well as efficacy of current vaccination strategies to protect salmon against its most pressing diseases.

This post will be based primarily on campus at the Roslin Institute; considering the heavy hands-on laboratory work as well as vaccination and challenge trials foreseen in the project, we are open to considering flexible working patterns (on a contractual basis) but expect that the majority of the work will include regular on-campus working.

For informal enquiries, please get in touch with Professor Maria Forlenza ([e-mail])

Your skills and attributes for success:

• PhD, or near to completing a PhD, in fish immunology and/or vaccination
• Demonstrated experience and broad knowledge in fish/animal immunology and/or vaccination
• Experience in functional genomics, especially in single cell omics analysis
• Proven skills in state-of-the art molecular and/or cellular techniques relevant to measure immune responses and correlates of protection to vaccination (in salmon)
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant area
• Track record of disseminating findings in relevant research area, including by presenting at major conferences
• Excellent organisation and time management skills
• Excellent communication skills

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Application Information

Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

• CV:
  include full details of your educational background, career to date, publication record, and main achievements - When describing your achievements and experience, please, be specific about what you did, why you did it and what was your contribution. Listing many techniques will not help if the context in which those techniques were applied has not been provided.
  
• Cover Letter:
  Outlining your motivation and relevant experience for this specific position - do not be afraid to mention any gap in your knowledge or practical experience you may think you have. Making an honest account of your strength and weaknesses will be appreciated more than stating that you are good at or know everything.

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 ourstaff 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. The Roslin Institute, where the post will be based, holds a Gold Athena SWAN award. The University of Edinburgh is a member 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 ourright to work webpages (opens new browser tab)

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 29th August 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.