Postdoctoral Research Associate/Graduate Research Assistant

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus and some from home.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.

The post

The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or a Graduate Research Assistant to support the work of Dr Martin Eichmann and Dr Chloe Rackham.

This full-time UKRI Expanding Excellence in England (E3) funded post is available on a fixed term basis from 1st April 2023 until 31st March 2024.

The successful applicant will work in the research groups of Dr Chloe Rackham and Dr Martin Eichmann, within the Exeter Centre of Excellence for Diabetes Research (EXCEED). Their research focusses on the interface between T cell immunology, islet biology and islet transplantation in the context of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). In particular, the successful applicant will be working on projects aiming to 1) investigate features of autoantigen-specific T cells (Dr Eichmann), and ii) improve islet function, survival, inflammation and transplantation outcomes using MSCs (Dr Rackham).  

About you

If applying for a Graduate Research Assistant role, applicants will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study or equivalent experience.

If applying for a Postdoctoral Research Associate role, applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or be nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study.

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to perform research-based activities including:

- Immunohistochemistry

- Molecular Biology (i.e. RNA isolation, RT-qPCR, molecular cloning, western-blotting)

- Immune cell assays

- Primary mouse islet isolation/beta cell line culture and downstream assays

- Flow Cytometry.

- Experimental planning and analysis of results

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2017.

Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today through this. 98% of our research is of international quality (2014 Research Excellence Framework). We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits including: 

• 41 days leave per year
• options for flexible working
• numerous discounts at leading retailers
• onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
• sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to six weeks full pay) and a new Fertility Treatment Policy
• stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England

Further Information

Please contact Dr Martin Eichmann, Lecturer in Immunology, email: [email protected] , or Dr Chloe Rackham, Lecturer in Diabetes, email: [email protected]

The Faculty is proud to have a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment and impact to providing equality of opportunity and advancing the representation of women in STEM/M subjects.  Our Inspiring Stories tell you more about how we support our staff, including through a mentoring programme to help our staff learn from the professional and life experience of colleagues and explore opportunities and actions for career progression.