The postholder will deliver the exciting project funded by UK Medical Research Council in the research group led by Dr Anna D Krasnodembskaya at the Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast. The project will study the link between pre-mature lung epithelial cell senescence and regulation of lung recovery, dysregulated immune response and maladaptive remodelling in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
The successful candidate will investigate the cross-talk between premature senescence and alveolar epithelial function in ARDS using experimentation with primary human pulmonary epithelial cells and lung organoids. The main purpose of this project is to characterise senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in primary lung epithelial cells in ARDS, identify novel therapeutic targets to counteract the onset of senescence and test novel therapeutic strategies based on siRNA or engineered MSC EVs and isolated MSC mitochondria.
This project is milestones-driven so strict adherence to deadlines is essential. The successful applicant is expected to lead this ambitious cutting-edge research project and will be involved with supervision, planning, day-to-day lab management, collaborations and outreach. Applications are invited from enthusiastic, highly motivated, efficient and organised individuals with a strong commitment to a career in research and development.
About the person:
The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:
(*must be obtained within 3 months of commencement of employment)
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 or until 31 October 2028, whichever is soonest. 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.
If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application - http://go.qub.ac.uk/internationalstaffsupport
Candidate Information