Job Description

Position Details

Department of Inflammation and Ageing, 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 £33,002 to £35,608 with potential progression once in post to £39,906

Grade: 6

Part Time, 0.8 FTE (30 hours per week)

Fixed Term contract up to August 2028

Closing date: 8th November 2026

Background

This is an exciting opportunity to join Dr Darren Ting’s research group focusing on the development of novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to combat bacterial and fungal corneal infections and address the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This post is funded through the Sight Research UK Translational Research Award.

In this project, the aim is to specifically examine the efficacy, safety, long-term stability, pharmacokinetics / pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), local tissue bioavailability using various experimental approaches (please summary of role).

The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary environment that bridges microbiology, pharmacology, and ophthalmology, in collaboration with:

• Prof Saaeha Rauz (Ophthalmology, University of Birmingham)
• Prof Nicholas Barnes (Pharmacy, University of Birmingham)
• Associate Prof Rajamani Lakshminarayanan (Singapore)

This post offers the opportunity to contribute to translational research at the interface of ophthalmology, microbiology, antimicrobial development, and drug delivery systems, with access to world-class laboratory and clinical resources.

Role Summary

As a Research Associate, you will provide research support to Dr Darren Ting’s group in the School of Infection, Inflammation, and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health, at the University of Birmingham. This group focuses on the development of new peptide-based treatment for various eye diseases, particularly corneal infection.

The role involves progressing the development of novel antimicrobial peptides for treating corneal infections. Key roles include:

• Performing in vitro microbiological assays, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and antibiofilm assay
• Performing in vitro cytotoxicity assays using human cell lines and red blood cells
• Assisting / performing ex vivo experiments using ex vivo porcine whole eye models to study the PK/PD, and local tissue drug bioavailability, using HPLC/MS
• Analysing and interpreting research findings and results
• Work within specified research grants and/or projects
• Operate within area of specialism
• Contribute to publications

You will work closely with other researchers and students, offering research guidance, troubleshooting experimental setups, and supporting the development of new procedures. A strong understanding of microbiology, cell culture and/or molecular biology will be essential to provide high-quality support for this project.

As a research associate, you will play a key role in maintaining a safe, efficient, and collaborative laboratory environment. You will be expected to uphold high health and safety standards.

Main Duties

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

• Collect research data, primarily through scientific experiments
• Setting up experiments and acquiring, processing and interrogating data for use in publications and related activities associated with the project
• Analyse research data as directed
• Support the development of research protocols as well as efficient completion of programmes of work to agreed timescales and project deadlines
• Responsibility for the day-to-day planning of any on-going work in the laboratory to meet agreed objectives and timetables.
• Develop or adapt techniques, models and methods
• 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 research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research
• Fosters a fair and equitable workplace for all staff
• Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures

Person Specification

• Relevant first degree in the field of microbiology, biomedical science, or pharmacology
• Experience of hands-on experimental work and method development, particularly in microbiological, cell culture, molecular biology (e.g. ELISA, qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and/or flow cytometry)
• Some experience in working on ex vivo models
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Ability to diagnose/ resolve problems and suggest solutions in own area
• Ability to analyse problems and summarise key points to others, including non-specialist staff.
• Demonstrable ability to plan ahead, work to deadlines involving time management and strong organisational skills.
• Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices and requirements for.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team.
• Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics and duties under the Equality Act 2010. Including fostering good relations and advancing the universities Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).
• Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity knowledge, skills and experience document.

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Darren Ting, email: d.s.j.ting@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

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.