Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow

University of Exeter; Exeter; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the UK is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to study the T cell response to the skin commensal yeast Malassezia in atopic dermatitis. The role requires a PhD and experience in immunology and microbiology. Candidates will use both in vitro and in vivo models, contributing to a multidisciplinary project with potential for research funding support. Applications close on 02 November 2025.

Qualifications

• PhD or nearing completion in a relevant field.
• Experience in T cell biology and skin immunology.
• Strong organizational skills and effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Characterize the Th17/Th2 response to Malassezia.
• Identify how fungal strain variations modulate the T cell response.
• Employ in vitro and in vivo experimental models.

Skills

T cell biology

Skin immunology

Flow cytometry

Cell culture techniques

Animal experimentation

Grant writing

Proposal development

Research presentation

Education

PhD or equivalent in a related field

Job description

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

This new full‑time post is available from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2028 on a fixed term basis.

The starting salary will be from £34,610 on Grade E for the Associate level role, or from £43,482 on Grade F for the Fellow level role, depending on qualifications and experience.

This role may be subject to additional background screening.

Position

The MRC Centre for Medical Mycology within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow (depending on skills and experience) to join the newly established team of Prof. Salomé LeibundGut‑Landmann.

Prof. LeibundGut‑Landmann’s team focuses on understanding the T cell response against the skin commensal yeast Malassezia in atopic dermatitis (eczema), a very common chronic‑relapsing pruritic skin disease. The multidisciplinary project is part of an MRC research programme in collaboration with Prof. Neil Gow (CMM), Helen Alexander and Carsten Flohr (both King’s College London) at the intersection of skin immunology, allergology and medical mycology. Successful applicants will be responsible for characterizing the Th17/Th2 response to Malassezia and for identifying how fungal strain variations modulate the antifungal T cell response. For this, you will employ in vitro and in vivo experimental models of host‑fungus interaction.

The position is available from 1 January 2026 for 3 years initially, with the possibility of a further extension (dependent on funding and performance).

About you

• PhD or equivalent (or nearing completion) in a related field of study.
• Experience in T cell biology, skin immunology, flow cytometry, cell culture techniques and animal experimentation.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to communicate experimental data effectively to scientists from a range of disciplines.
• A collaborative and “outside‑of‑the‑box” thinker able to work across immunology and microbiology disciplines.
• Experience in grant writing, proposal development and presenting research at conferences and other events.
• Ability to develop research objectives and contribute to securing research funding.
• Capacity to guide less experienced members of the research group and assist in research communication, including manuscript writing and outreach activities.

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

Application details

The closing date for completed applications is 02 November 2025. Interviews are expected to take place in November.

For further information please contact Prof. Salomé Leibundgut ([e-mail]).