Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

This new full-time post is available from 5th September 2022 on a fixed term basis until 4th March 2026.

Please note that as of 1st September 2022 our colleges and schools will be moving into a new structure which will consist of the following three Faculties – Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, (to include the Medical School),  Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, and Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. 

Summary of the role

This post will form part of a multi-institute collaboration within the new MRC National Mouse Genetics Network that aims to address the role of the microbiome in genetic diseases affecting mucosal barrier surfaces. The Microbiome and Barrier Function cluster (https://nmgn.mrc.ukri.org/clusters/microbiome/), is being led by researchers from the Universities of Oxford, Exeter, Manchester, Imperial College London, and EMBL-EBI, and involves close collaboration with the Mary Lyon Centre, Harwell.

Researchers from across the cluster will apply cutting-edge experimental techniques to better understand how the microbiome drives development of symptoms in monogenetic diseases that disrupt healthy barrier surface function in the gut and lung. Collectively, studying such monogenic diseases promises to improve basic understanding of human-microbe interactions occurring at barrier surfaces. This in turn will lead to better understanding of how disruption of such interactions contributes to the development of complex genetic diseases.

The research project is focussed to study the effect of mutations in the CFTR gene, causing cystic fibrosis, on the host-pathogen interactions in the airways resulting in persistent infection and inflammation. Commonly encountered bacterial and fungal pathogens infecting the airways of people with cystic fibrosis will be studied, as well as the role of the microbiome in the persistent airway inflammation leading to progressive lung disease. Experimental murine models will be developed to study the interaction between the gut microbiome, infection and inflammation in cystic fibrosis.

The post holder will take a leading role in the research being led by Profs Warris and Brown at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter and will be responsible for driving collaboration with other cluster members in order to share knowledge and develop advanced immunology and gnotobiotic techniques that are in line with NC3Rs objectives.

This MRC funded post is available for a period of 4 years with an expected start date of 1 September 2022.

MRC Centre for Medical Mycology

The Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM) is one of the most ambitious strategic investments in UK medical mycology.  The MRC CMM is a world-leading research centre that is helping to tackle the major global threats to human health caused by fungal diseases.  In fact, fungal infections now kill more people worldwide than malaria and similar numbers to tuberculosis.  The Centre brings together researchers from the fields of medicine and living systems, and the biological, chemical, physical and mathematical sciences to increase our understanding of fungal pathogens and cognate immune defences, and to identify new ways to diagnose, prevent and treat fungal diseases.  A major activity of the MRC CMM is to increase UK capacity in fundamental and clinical research in medical mycology through research and training programmes for medical and biosciences students and early career researchers.  The Centre has established strategic interactions with other national and international groups is promoting public engagement and understanding of our science.

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

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).  

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. More than 99% of our research is of international quality and our world-leading research impact is growing faster than any other Russell Group university (2021 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 Prof Adilia Warris ([email protected] ) or Prof Gordon Brown ([email protected] )

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

This role may be subject to additional background screening.

The College 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.