The Research Assistant will be a highly productive, ambitious and collaborative member of a research team led by Dr. Selinda Orr in the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine. This 3 year position will involve working as part of a research programme that is investigating host immune responses to fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus, Candida and Rhizopus species. Immunosuppressed individuals are at risk of developing invasive bloodstream fungal infections and mortality rates are unacceptably high (up to 82% even with treatment). Therefore, the aim of this project is to characterise a novel signalling pathway in response to these fungal pathogens to identify potential immunotherapy targets. The project will utilise in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models of fungal infection and is based in a highly collaborative team, carrying out basic and clinical research with partners locally, nationally and internationally.
About the person:
The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following criteria:
This post involves handing human blood and samples, working with mice, and working with fungal pathogens.
To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.
This post is available for 36 months. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.
What we offer:
Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/
Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.
For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/diversity.
Candidate Information
Further information for international applicants