£42,159 per annum
This is fixed-term position for 12 months to cover a period of family leave.
This is a rolling advertisement and may close early if sufficient applications are received. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Interviews will be arranged on an ongoing basis as applications are reviewed.
To work within the group of Noe Rodriguez at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), on a programme aimed at investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the crosstalk between neurons and immune cells during viral infections and cancer. Specifically, to undertake research to investigate how neurons communicate with immune cells in lung organoids.
This job is a maternity cover to work on a project which is part of a research programme aimed at understating how sensory neurons modulate immune cells at mucosal tissues during inflammation. The investigation will focus on developing in vitro systems (such as mucosal organoids) to study cell communication, dynamics and signalling.
To plan your own work and objectives and manage your experimental work within the project along with your Supervisor.
To introduce and apply new techniques across a wide range of disciplines and to have the creativity and initiative to develop novel approaches and methods where required.
To ensure the research is carried out in accordance with good practice and in compliance with local policies and legal requirements.
To contribute to the smooth running of the group, including the effective use of resources, training of others and taking responsibility for use of communal facilities.
You will report to Dr Noe Rodriguez and will interact and collaborate with other Postdoctoral Scientists, Research Support staff and students, not only in your group, but also across the LMB and with external groups as necessary.
These should include a PhD in a relevant subject (for example neuroscience, neuroimmunology or immunology).
Technical skills and expertise:
Experience of and ability to perform techniques relevant to the project. Particularly useful would be experience in organoid culture, in vitro primary co-culture systems integrating neurons, stromal cells and immune cells, or similar.
This will include achievements, and contributions to published papers.
This is a maternity cover - in addition to the main maternity cover project the post offers the possibility to explore other scientific questions related to neuro-immune crosstalk. Skills in molecular biology, transcriptomics and flow cytometry would be desirable. Experience in imaging and working with AAVs and mouse models would be valuable. Experience investigating immune cells is not essential.
You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI:
Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.
The above lists are not exhaustive and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the public sector organisation that invests £8 billion annually to support the entire research and innovation system. We strive for a society powered and empowered by research and innovation, with economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits for all.
We invest in people, places, ideas, innovation and impacts, empowering researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to turn the many challenges we all face into opportunities, driving up prosperity and wellbeing across the UK and globally.
The impacts of our work are felt right across society. We enrich lives by increasing our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, supporting innovative businesses and public services, and creating high-quality jobs throughout the UK.
