Research Associate (PDRA) in Fungal Infection Biology

The University of Manchester; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in Manchester seeks two candidates for a full-time role in interdisciplinary research on Mucorales fungi. Successful candidates will have extensive expertise in fungal infections and will work on a Wellcome Trust funded project. Responsibilities include experiment design, publication of findings, and collaboration with both internal and external teams. The role offers attractive benefits including a market-leading pension scheme and excellent employee wellbeing services.

Benefits

Market leading Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Exceptional annual leave entitlement

Paid closure over Christmas

Local and national retailer discounts

Qualifications

• Extensive expertise in fungal infections.
• Evidence of developing a publication track record.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualise and design experiments.
• Publish findings in high-impact journals.
• Engage with collaborators within the institute and externally.
• Contribute to ongoing laboratory projects.

Skills

Expertise in fungal infection

Genetic manipulation of filamentous fungi

In vitro and/or in vivo infection models

Confocal/microfluidic imaging

Fungal genomics and transcriptomic analysis

Job description

The Bertuzzi's laboratory at the Manchester Fungal Infection is looking for two outstanding candidates be part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers, working on an Wellcome Trust funded project investigating how Mucorales fungi adapt to natural and in-host environments and how stress adaptation drives infection. The posts are available from the 5th of January 2026 on a full-time basis for 3 years, with the possibility to extend.

The candidates must have extensive expertise in fungal infection, with ideal candidates having intimate knowledge of at least two of the following: i) genetic manipulation of filamentous fungi, ii) in vitro and/or in vivo infection models, iii) confocal/microfluidic- and/or imaging flow cytometry-based experimentation, iv) fungal genomics and transcriptomic analysis.

The candidates will be expected to work alongside the PI to conceptualise and design experiments and to work towards the publication of their findings in high-impact journals. Thus, evidence of a developing research publication track record will be advantageous. Considering the interdisciplinary nature of this programme of work, the candidates will be required to engage positively with collaborators both within the institute and at external organisations. The candidates will also be expected to contribute to other projects ongoing in the laboratory, to work seamlessly as a team supporting each other's, other PDRAs in the group, postgraduate and undergraduate trainees. The successful candidates would be expected to be curious, passionate, engaging and highly motivated.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working - you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any CV's submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Dr Margherita Bertuzzi

Email: [e-mail]

General enquiries:

Email: [e-mail]

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.