Postdoctoral Research Associate in Cell & Molecular Immunology

About the Role

We seek a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to the delivery of the precision medicine translational program of research in autoimmune rheumatic diseases at Queen Mary University of London. The successful candidate will apply expertise in cellular, immunological, and molecular biology techniques to analyse samples from autoimmune rheumatic diseases patients, in particular blood and salivary glands of Sjogren’s disease and blood and synovial tissue of Rheumatoid arthritis patients. Specifically, this post, funded by the Barts Charity, will dissect the cellular and molecular and neuro-immunological mechanism driving peripheral neuropathy and exocrine dysfunction in Sjogren’s disease.

About You

The candidate will have demonstrable experience in cellular, immunological, and molecular biology techniques such as cell isolation, cell culture, ELISA, FACS, RT qPCR, and western blotting is essential. A strong background in cellular and molecular immunology and experience handling human clinical samples are required. You should have effective communication, report-writing, and presentation skills, and be able to manage your own work and collaborate effectively in a team.

About the Centre

The Centre for Experimental Medicine & Rheumatology (EMR), is a multidisciplinary research team focused on understanding disease pathogenesis to develop novel therapeutics and optimize existing therapies for autoimmune conditions. EMR is a world-renowned translational research center in Sjogren’s disease, an autoimmune disorder characterized by immune cell infiltration in the exocrine glands and in Rheumatoid Arthritis with recent high-profile publications (Nature Metabolism, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Nature Medicine, Nature Communicaion etc). The successful candidate will work on the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the formation tertiary lymphoid structures in Sjogren’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis under the supervision of the QMUL PI, Dr Elena Pontarini and of Prof Michele Bombardieri, Deputy EMR Centre Lead. The Centre offers refurbished laboratories, cutting-edge facilities, and is located in the heart of the City of London.

About Queen Mary

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

Location: London
Salary: £38,419 to £42,091 per annum
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract
Job Ref: 8152