Research Associate

University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the UK is seeking an enthusiastic post-doctoral scientist to work on a project focusing on immunocompromised patients and their vaccine responses. The role involves research experience in primary cell culture and neutralizing antibody assays. Candidates must have a PhD in a relevant field. The position offers an exceptional research environment and collaborative opportunities.

Qualifications

• Candidates should have (or be about to receive) a PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Relevant research experience in primary cell culture and preparation/propagation of virus is essential.
• Experience in neutralizing antibody assays is essential.

Responsibilities

• Curate and analyze large data sets, including sequencing data.
• Interact and collaborate with colleagues in different disciplines.

Skills

Research experience in primary cell culture

Experience in neutralizing antibody assays

Data curation and analysis

Good communication skills

Education

PhD in a relevant discipline

Job description

Overview

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 15 October 2026 in the first instance. Applications are invited to recruit an enthusiastic post-doctoral scientist to work on a project in the group of Prof Ravi Gupta, in collaboration with Dr Rona Smith.

Project context

Immunocompromised patients mount sub-optimal vaccine responses and remain vulnerable to infection. The Covid-19 pandemic has focused attention on these patients since they often exhibit delayed viral clearance enabling the virus to rapidly evolve. Understanding functional antibody response to vaccination and infection in the context of various states of immunosuppression and the impact on viral sequence and kinetics, offers opportunities to further understand the mechanisms underlying viral evolution.

Location

The work will be pursued in the Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease (CITIID). This new building provides an exceptional and stimulating environment that promotes collaborative and interdisciplinary research, with state-of-the-art facilities, and is housed on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus alongside the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute.

Responsibilities

• Relevant research experience in primary cell culture and preparation/propagation of virus is essential.
• Experience in neutralizing antibody assays is essential.
• The ability to curate and analyse large data sets, including sequencing data is desirable.
• Candidates should have (or be about to receive) a PhD in a relevant discipline and have a capacity to apply initiative and creativity to solve biological problems.
• Applicants will be expected to work closely and interactively with colleagues in different disciplines within the lab, and have good communications skills.

Enquiries

Informal enquiries can be sent to Prof Ravi Gupta ([e-mail]) or Dr Rona Smith ([e-mail])

Application details

Please quote reference RC47346 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Equality and eligibility

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.