Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow (TUPE)

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

This new full-time post is immediately available on a fixed term basis.

This post may involve (at the discretion of the appointed person) working on weekends for access to specialist equipment that is under high demand. This will be balanced by days off during the working week.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to support the work of Elizabeth Ballou. This Wellcome Trust funded post is immediately available until 30 September 2023 (with the possibility of extension until 30 September 2024, depending on funding).

The successful applicant for the PDRA role will work with Dr Ballou to to design, deliver and publish primary research outputs and engage with a variety of collaborators. Building on established protocols, you will use cytometric approaches to investigate morphological characteristics and transformations of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, with a particular focus on environmentally regulated pathways underpinning pathogenesis.

The postholder will be supervised by Dr Elizabeth Ballou and will work collaboratively with other investigators on the project, including postgraduate students within the CMM and investigators outside the University. 

The successful applicant for the PDRF role will have proven experimental skills in microscopy, fungal culture, molecular biology, and will work with Dr Ballou to to design, deliver and publish primary research outputs and engage with a variety of collaborators The post will require developing new approaches and pipelines for fungal cell biology and molecular biology techniques.

About you

For the PDRA role , 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 possess a relevant PhD (or be nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will have demonstrated expertise in fungal cell biology, microscopy and/or flow cytometry, as well as demonstrated ability to interpret quantitative and qualitative data to understand biological systems.  

For the PDRF role, the successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in a relevant field of study (e.g., microbiology, cell biology, genetics) and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Applicants will have expertise in routine wet-lab/molecular lab techniques, including microscopy, tissue culture, molecular biology and nucleic acid extractions.

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

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career

• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

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.

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. 

This role may be subject to additional background screening.

For further information please contact Dr Elizabeth Ballou, e-mail [email protected].

The closing date for completed applications is 5 February 2023. Interviews are expected to take place on 15 February 2023.