Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Assay Development Scientist)

University of Exeter; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious research university in Devon is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Assay Development Scientist) to lead innovative research in antifungal drug discovery. This role involves developing new bioluminescent strains and drug testing workflows, with a strong focus on experimental design and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. The position offers competitive salary and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowances

Flexible working

Pension scheme

Relocation package (if applicable)

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field, preferably with research experience in assay development.
• Strong background in drug discovery and related techniques.
• Experience with experimental design and analysis of data.

Responsibilities

• Develop new bioluminescent strains of Candida auris.
• Create workflows for drug resistance testing.
• Support cross-profiling of compounds against fungal pathogens.

Skills

Assay development

Drug discovery

Experimental design

Education

PhD in relevant field

Tools

Bioluminescent assays

Drug resistance testing

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Assay Development Scientist)

Salary: The starting salary will be from £42,882 up to £52,565 on Grade F, 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 until 31 August 2028 on a fixed term basis.

This role may be subject to additional background screening.

Please note that we are currently advertising a similar role that might be of interest to you. You can find more details here.

The Post

The MRC Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM) seeks an experienced assay development scientist 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 role has two key aspects. In the first instance, our goal is to develop new bioluminescent and other reporter strains of the multidrug-resistant human fungal pathogen Candida auris to support the development of murine infection models for antifungal efficacy testing, as well as for use in in vitro screens. Secondly, to develop a workflow, using genetically barcoded C. auris isolates, to determine the resistance liability of novel antifungal drugs, 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, determination of resistance liabilities of novel antifungal drugs, via both in vitro and in vivo analyses. The role will also involve the 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.

The successful applicant will be a senior member of the UoE Assay Development and Drug Discovery team, providing day-to-day oversight and guidance of the activities of the wider research team and reporting to the local and international Programme Leads. In the medium to long term, you will be expected to contribute to the overall portfolio by identifying and developing potential new approaches and projects. Career development opportunities will be available for the right candidate, including continuing education, conference attendance, scientific publishing, and development of funding applications.

The post is initially offered for 3 years, with scope for extension, subject to approval.

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 supports high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
• A multitude of staff benefits, including sector-leading policies 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 are 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, Co-Director (Research), MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, [e-mail].