Research Associate

This post is based in the Department of Infectious Disease in South Kensington. The post will be jointly supervised between Dr Aran Singanayagam, Dr Anand Shah and Professor Sebastian Johnston. This is a 2-year post funded by the MRC to study mechanisms of susceptibility to respiratory viral infection in the chronic respiratory condition bronchiectasis.

We are aiming to recruit an enthusiastic, dynamic, and motivated postdoctoral research associate with an interest in host-pathogen interactions, who wishes to expand their research portfolio. You will join an exciting multidisciplinary group with expertise in immunology and molecular microbiology. The post holder will be required to work both individually and as a team and may be required to teach more junior members of the laboratory. You should integrate with the group with a cooperative, enthusiastic and flexible approach.

• To take initiatives in the planning of research


• To direct the work of small research teams


• To conduct data analysis


• To write reports for submission to research sponsors


• To present findings to colleagues and at conferences


• To submit publications to refereed journals


• To develop contacts and research collaborations within the College and the wider community


• To promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College


• To provide guidance to PhD Students

• To maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental work


• To actively participate in the research programme of the Group


• To participate in Group research meetings and internal seminars


• To contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s laboratories and, facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories


• To assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research assistants as required


• Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as Head of Division/Department/Section

Essential Requirements:

• PhD in immunology or equivalent vocational qualification
• Work independently and be competent in general lab techniques, including cell culture, qPCR, ELISA, WB, bioinformatics and data analysis.

Desirable Requirements:

• Prior experience in epithelial cell culture including air-liquid interface and/or pulmonary organoid models
• Prior experience in analysis of large sequencing datasets (e.g. bulk RNA-seq) with associated competence in using R or similar analysis packages.

This is a full-time, fixed term appointment for 2 years. You will be based at South Kensington Campus.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £40,694 - £43,888 per annum.

For technical issues when applying online please email [email protected]

There is no option for hybrid working.

Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the requirements of the project demand is expected.

Must be able to start between April-July 2024.

Should you require any further details on the role please contact: Dr Aran Singanayagam [email protected]

Selected papers from the lab

Almond M, Farne H, K, Jackson MM, Jha A, Katsoulis O (et al)…Johnston SL, Singanayagam A. Obesity dysregulates the pulmonary antiviral immune response. Nature Communications 2023. 14: 6607.

George PM, Reed A, DesaiS, Devaraj A, Faiez TS, (et al)…Shah A, Singanayagam A. A persistent neutrophil-associated immune signature characterises post-COVID19 pulmonary sequelae. Science Translational Medicine. 2022; 14: 671

Singanayagam A, Foottit J, Marcyzynski M, Radicioni G, Cross MT et al. Airway mucins promote immunopathology in virus-exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Clin Invest 2022; 132: e120901.

Kamal F, Kumar S, Edwards MR, Veselkov K, Belluomo I, (et al.)….Singanayagam A, Hanna GB*. Virus-induced volatile organic compounds are detectable in exhaled breath during pulmonary infection. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2021. 204: 1075-85.

Finney L, Glanville N, Farne H, Aniscenko J, Fenwick P, (et al.)…Johnston SL, Singanayagam A. Inhaled corticosteroids downregulate the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 in COPD through suppression of type I interferon. J Allerg Clin Immunol 2021; 147: 510-19.