Research Fellow - Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes - 106224 - Grade 7

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in Birmingham is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to investigate the role of bacteria in gastric health. You will work within a multidisciplinary team, handling clinical samples and conducting advanced microscopy. A strong background in tissue culture and microscopy is required. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and the chance to significantly contribute to ongoing research initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience with tissue culture is essential.
• Experience in working with clinical samples required.
• Expertise in bacterial cell culture and infection models.

Responsibilities

• Develop research objectives and proposals.
• Analyse and interpret data.
• Supervise students and research assistants.
• Present research outputs.

Skills

Tissue culture

Fluorescent microscopy

Analytical capability

Effective communication

Bacterial cell culture

Education

First degree in relevant area

Higher degree or equivalent

Tools

ImageJ

Phenochart

nCounter

COMET

Job description

Position Details

Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822. As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £42,254

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to November 2028

Closing date: 22nd September 2025

Background

We are looking for a talented and highly motivated postdoctoral research associate to join our multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Rossiter, including clinicians, bacteriologists, structural biologists and advanced microscopy and imaging specialists. The project will expand on our recent discovery showing that non-Helicobacter pylori bacteria invade the gastric lamina propria during pre-cancer of the stomach, known as gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) (further details can be found on this press release ).

Working with GIM patient tissue samples from well-defined patient cohorts, the successful candidate will work in collaboration with Birmingham Tissue Analytics to localise and identify invasive bacteria. Platforms such as COMET and nCounter assays will be used to triangulate host immune responses to invasive bacteria. The successful candidate will also use our established infection model of patient-derived gastric organoid monolayers to determine the mechanism in which bacteria invade the gastric epithelium barrier. Scanning and Transmission electron microscopy will be used to visualise bacteria within this infection model, in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Oxford.

The successful candidate will work in the laboratory of Dr. Rossiter and work closely with Dr. di Pietro, who is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Senior Clinical Investigator Scientist. Dr. di Pietro is an expert in the use of endoscopy-based methods for the identification and management of IM. The success of this project will provide sufficient evidence to develop a novel antimicrobial treatment for GIM, which could prevent the development of GAC.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids

• Operate within area of specialism

• Liaise with the Co-Investigator’s clinical team to receive and store clinical samples and to ensure appropriate record keeping throughout the study

• Analyse and interpret research findings and results

• Contribute to generating funding

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism andnormally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• Experience with tissue culture is essential and organoid culture would be desirable
• Expertise in fluorescent microscopy and image analysis tools (ImageJ)
• Experience in working with clinical samples
• Expertise in bacterial cell culture and infection models
• Experience using advanced spatial biology analysis tools, such as Phenochart, nCounter and COMET would be ideal, but not essential
• High level analytical capability, especially in the integration of large imaging and immunological datasets
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Amanda Rossiter, email: [e-mail]

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .