Research Associate in Neuroinflammation/Complement Biology

1000scholars; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

45 days annual leave

Local pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Cardiff University invites applications for a Research and Innovation Associate in Neuroinflammation/Complement Biology within the UK DRI Cardiff. The role focuses on elucidating complement-mediated neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease using multi-omics approaches and human iPSC-derived cellular models.

The successful candidate will join a programme funded by UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship and will investigate disease mechanisms, identify therapeutic targets, and perform computational and

Qualifications

• Expertise in complement biology, immunology and Alzheimer's disease or related industrial/academic experience.

Responsibilities

• Generate and analyze multi-omics brain atlases and datasets.
• Integrate large-scale omics data and validate key findings in human iPSC-derived microglia, astrocytes and neurons.

Skills

Complement biology

Immunology

Alzheimer's disease

Multi-omics data integration

Bioinformatics

Human iPSC-derived neural models

Molecular biology

Cellular biology

Mechanistic validation

Job description

Applications are invited for Research and Innovation Associate position in Neuroinflammation/ Complement Biology in the UK DRI at Cardiff University School of Medicine, based at the Heath Campus.

This post will join a new programme of research supported by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship programme awarded to Dr. Wioleta Zelek that explores the role of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias.

The work focuses on defining the role of the complement system in Alzheimer's disease using integrated multi-omics approaches, including transcriptomics, proteomics and spatial profiling, followed by functional validation in human iPSC-derived in vitro cell-based models.

The successful candidate will investigate complement-mediated neuroimmune mechanisms underpinning disease progression and identify novel therapeutic targets through computational and experimental approaches.

Candidates with expertise in complement biology, immunology and Alzheimer's disease or relevant industrial experience are encouraged to apply. Experience in one or more of the following is highly desirable:

• analysis and integration of transcriptomic, proteomic or spatial omics datasets
• bioinformatics
• human iPSC-derived neuronal and glial models
• molecular and cellular biology
• mechanistic validation of disease pathways

The post will involve generation and analysis of multi-omics brain atlases, integration of large-scale datasets, and validation of key findings using human iPSC-derived microglia, astrocytes and neuronal models.

Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Wiola Zelek ([e-mail]).

Division: http://medicine.cf.ac.uk/infect-immun/

UK DRI Cardiff: https://ukdri.ac.uk/centres/cardiff

This post is full time (35 hours per week), available from 1st November 2026 and fixed term for 1 year.

Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave, (including bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more.

• 45 days annual leave, (including bank holidays)
• local pension scheme
• a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives
• annual increments within the pay scale
• more

Closing date: Wednesday, 28 October 2026

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We especially welcome and encourage applications from those under-represented groups within the University workforce, such as those who identify as LGBT+, Ethnic Minority or those with disabilities. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

£41,064 to £46,049 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.