Position Details
Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, 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 £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to October 2027
Closing date: 5th January 2025
Background
A post-doctoral Research Fellow position is available in the Fungal Immunology Group within the Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, led by Dr Rebecca Drummond.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed scientist to join our project team, which is aiming to better understand the in-host behaviour of fungal pathogens. The successful candidate will make extensive use of a range of in vivo models of fungal infection and will have access to the wide range of transgenic tools and in vivo immunology techniques established in the Drummond lab. The candidate's research will focus on how fungal pathogens respond to cues encountered in organ-specific environments. This is an exciting opportunity to investigate regulation of fungal adaptation and antifungal immunity in vivo.
For examples of the work the team has previously published, please see:
* Mohamed et al, Nature Communications 2023, 14: 7202
* Kumwenda et al, Cell Reports 2022, 38:1, 110183
The project team comprises of two research groups, Dr Drummond's group at Birmingham, and the research lab of Dr Rebecca Hall at the University of Kent. Both groups are supported by the Wellcome Trust and will work closely together during the project. There will be opportunity for additional training for the successful applicant with our collaborators to develop a wide range of technical expertise in immunology and microbiology.
Funding for the position is available for 3 years, with possibility of extension. The lab is located within the Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham, where a collaborative environment exists, rich in immunologists with a range of complimentary research interests.
The candidate should demonstrate a good understanding of immunology and medical microbiology, and have excellent communication skills. They will be expected to help develop new techniques within the laboratory, help supervise project/undergraduate students, and present their data regularly at internal lab meetings and external conferences.
Role Summary
* Use in vivo models to analyse fungal adaptation in the host
* Regularly present findings at team meetings and interact closely with our collaborators
* Analyse and interpret research findings and results
* Help supervise undergraduate and MSc level students conducting projects related to the candidate's research
Main Duties
* 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 by helping to write publications, present at conferences and regular team meetings
* 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 as appropriate
* Undertake management/administration arising from research
* Contribute to public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
* Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
* Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
* PhD (or near to completion) or equivalent in Immunology or Microbiology
* First author publications in peer-reviewed journals
* Previous experience and strong interest in medical mycology, immunology and/or infectious disease immunology
* Holder of Home Office Personal Licence (or equivalent in home country)
* Substantial experience of using in vivo mouse models to assess immune responses
* Substantial experience in using flow cytometry to analyse in vivo immune responses
* High level analytical capability
* Ability to communicate complex information clearly
* Ability to contribute to developing new protocols and techniques
* 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 Dr Rebecca Drummond, email: r.drummond@bham.ac.uk
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.
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