Postdoctoral Research Associate: Drug Discovery

University of Exeter; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious research university in Devon is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support antifungal drug discovery. The role requires a relevant PhD and involves designing bioluminescent reporters, developing workflows for drug susceptibility testing, and collaboration with top researchers. This full-time position offers plentiful opportunities for career development and is located in a vibrant and beautiful part of the UK.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowances

Flexible working

Pension scheme

Relocation package

Qualifications

• Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification.
• Experience of culturing micro-organisms is required.
• Applicants must have experience with murine infection models.

Responsibilities

• Design and construct new bioluminescent strains of fungal pathogens.
• Develop automated workflow for drug susceptibility testing.
• Provide support for cross-profiling compounds against pathogens.

Skills

Culturing micro-organisms

Measuring microbial growth

Genetic engineering of fungi

Experience with murine infection models

Education

Relevant PhD or equivalent qualification

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Salary: The starting salary will be from £34,132 to £39,355 on Grade E, depending on qualifications and experience.
Contractual hours: 36.5
Package: Generous holiday allowances, flexible working, pension scheme and relocation package (if applicable).
Job category/type: Research

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

This new full-time post is immediately available on a fixed term basis until 31 August 2028.

This role may be subject to additional background screening.

The post

The MRC Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM) seeks an experienced research associate to join a recently funded 5-year programme of antifungal drug discovery at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology. This exciting new programme connects MRC CMM researchers with drug discovery experts and scientists from the Dundee Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) (www.drugdiscovery.dundee.ac.uk/) and GSK Global Health Medicines R&D to facilitate the discovery and development of new drugs for invasive fungal diseases. Together, the MRC CMM, DDU and GSK GHM form a dynamic and multidisciplinary group that covers all aspects of drug discovery up to candidate selection.

This Wellcome-funded three-year post is available immediately.

This role will address two key aspects of programme development; the design and construction of new bioluminescent and other reporter strains of human fungal pathogens, to support the development of murine infection models for antifungal efficacy testing as well as for use in in vitro screens. Secondly, to contribute to the development, optimisation and implementation of an automated workflow to determine the drug susceptibility and resistance liabilities of novel antifungal drugs, across a wide range of fungal pathogens, both alone and in combination with existing antifungal drugs. Areas of interest are: development of in vivo imaging assays for understanding efficacy of novel antifungal drugs, assay development, and determination of resistance liabilities of novel antifungal drugs via both in vitro and in vivo analyses. The role will also involve provision of support for cross-profiling of hit and lead compounds against a panel of human fungal pathogens in preparation for full drug discovery programmes.

About you

The successful applicant will work alongside senior members of the UoE Assay Development and Drug Discovery team, aligned to the activities of the wider research team and reporting to the local and international Programme Leads. Career development opportunities will be available for the right candidate, including continuing education, conference attendance, scientific publishing and development of funding applications.

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will possess, or be nearing completion of a relevant PhD, or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.

Applicants will have experience of culturing micro-organisms (bacteria or yeast/fungi) at containment level 2, measuring microbial (bacteria or yeast/fungi) growth using optical density or other methods, undertake genetic engineering of pathogenic fungi including Candida, Cryptococcus and Aspergillus species, and have experience of murine infection models.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• Support to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks’ full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks’ full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries, we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.

Further information

Before submitting an application, you may wish to discuss the post further by contacting Elaine Bignell, Programme Lead, [e-mail].