Research Associate in Respiratory Sciences

1000scholars; Leicester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Leicester is seeking a talented and motivated Research Associate to join the Division of Respiratory Sciences. You will take specific responsibility within an established research programme, leading data collection and analysis, and developing methods to investigate cellular phenotypes.

You will disseminate findings through journals, conferences and engagement with the international research community, collaborating with PIs and external partners, with mentoring opportunities

Qualifications

• You will hold a PhD, an equivalent qualification in an appropriate discipline, or equivalent professional qualifications and experience.
• You will have expertise in the culture and manipulation of primary human cells, which may include fibroblasts, epithelial, endothelial or immune cells, alongside practical experience of molecular biology approaches such as gene knockdown and overexpression.
• You will also be experienced in designing, conducting and optimising experiments and using in vitro assays to assess cellular phenotypes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration, differentiation and extracellular matrix production.

Responsibilities

• You will lead the collection, evaluation and interpretation of experimental data, contribute to the development and optimisation of research methods, and apply innovative models and techniques to investigate biological mechanisms and disease-related cellular phenotypes.
• You will help disseminate research findings through journal articles, technical outputs, conferences and wider engagement with the international research community.
• Working with the Principal Investigator, research colleagues and external collaborators, you will contribute to future research ideas, grant applications, industry collaboration, knowledge exchange and research impact.
• You will also have opportunities to develop your own area of research, build multidisciplinary networks, support students and colleagues, and provide mentoring or coaching to Early Career Researchers and research students.

Skills

Cell culture

Molecular biology

RNA methods

Immunofluorescence

Immunohistochemistry

Imaging/quantification

Gene editing

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

Imaging systems

Molecular assays

Job description

Vacancy terms: Full time, fixed term until 31st October 2028

Hours per week: 37.5

About the role

The University of Leicester is seeking a talented and motivated Research Associate to join the Division of Respiratory Sciences. You will take specific responsibility within an established research programme, working both independently and collaboratively to achieve defined milestones and produce high-quality research. You will lead the collection, evaluation and interpretation of experimental data, contribute to the development and optimisation of research methods, and apply innovative models and techniques to investigate biological mechanisms and disease-related cellular phenotypes.

You will help disseminate research findings through journal articles, technical outputs, conferences and wider engagement with the international research community. Working with the Principal Investigator, research colleagues and external collaborators, you will contribute to future research ideas, grant applications, industry collaboration, knowledge exchange and research impact. You will also have opportunities to develop your own area of research, build multidisciplinary networks, support students and colleagues, and provide mentoring or coaching to Early Career Researchers and research students.

About you

You will hold a PhD, an equivalent qualification in an appropriate discipline, or equivalent professional qualifications and experience. You will have expertise in the culture and manipulation of primary human cells, which may include fibroblasts, epithelial, endothelial or immune cells, alongside practical experience of molecular biology approaches such as gene knockdown and overexpression. You will also be experienced in designing, conducting and optimising experiments and using in vitro assays to assess cellular phenotypes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration, differentiation and extracellular matrix production. A contribution to peer-reviewed publications or equivalent research outputs, together with proven analytical and problem-solving capability, is essential.

You will communicate complex information clearly in writing and verbally, work effectively both independently and as part of a collegiate research team, and demonstrate continued development of your subject expertise. Experience with RNA-based methods, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, quantitative imaging, high-dimensional biological datasets, or gene-editing and gene-manipulation approaches would be advantageous.

Additional information

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Katy Roach on [e-mail].

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying.

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Advert closes midnight on: 18 October 2026

£39,906 to £46,049 per annum, pro-rata if part-time. Grade 7