Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow

University of Exeter - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Location:	Exeter
Salary:	The starting salary will be from £34,610 on Grade E for the Associate role and £43,482 on Grade F for the Fellow role, depending on qualifications and experience
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 25th March 2026
Closes: 20th April 2026
Job Ref: Q14240

The post

We wish to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow to join Dr Chloe Rackham’s research team, to focus on understanding the pancreas niche and therapeutic potential of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) prevention and treatment. This position is funded through a Medical Research Council collaborative research project (Dr Chloe Rackham (principal investigator), co-investigators: Prof Sarah Richardson and Dr Martin Eichmann) and is available from June 2026 to March 2029.

Ideally, you will have experience in multiplex immunohistochemistry panel optimisation and image analysis pipelines, tissue culture (preferably primary MSC/PSC and/or islet culture and downstream assays), molecular biology and flow cytometry. The studies conducted for this project will use primary isolated human islets and human pancreatic MSCs and PSCs. Experience in RNA-seq analysis and bioinformatics is also advantageous. You will be one of two post-doctoral researchers working on this MRC-Funded Project and together within the wider Islet Biology at Exeter (IBEx) team, you will be advancing this research field to help inform human pancreatic stromal cell-based strategies to support the survival and long-term function of endogenous pancreatic islets and transplanted islet cells.

You will join the expanding Diabetes discipline within the Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Exeter. The position is based at the recently purpose-built laboratories within the RILD building, University of Exeter (EX2 5DW), a £27 million joint venture between the University of Exeter and the Royal Devon University Hospital, specifically designed to accelerate translation of scientific discoveries to improve human health.

About you

Postdoctoral Research Associate

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 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. Experience in type 1 diabetes research and/or MSC or PSC research will be of benefit. Experience in some of the following techniques: RNA isolation, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, RNA-seq analysis, bioinformatics and imaging is also essential. Experience in working with primary MSC/PSCs and isolated islets would also be advantageous.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

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 and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Experience in type 1 diabetes research and/or MSC or PSC research will be of benefit. Experience in some of the following techniques: RNA isolation, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, RNA-seq analysis, bioinformatics and imaging is also essential. Experience in working with primary MSC/PSCs and isolated islets would also be advantageous.

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

Further information

For further information please contact Dr Chloe Rackham, e-mail: c.rackham@exeter.ac.uk