Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the Project

This project addresses a critical gap in understanding why some arboviruses cause severe and persistent neurological disease in humans. Using tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) as a model, this research will identify viral and host determinants of neuropathogenesis.

Your Role

As a Postdoctoral Research Associate, you will join a multidisciplinary team investigating the molecular mechanisms of arbovirus infection in the human brain. You will contribute to the development, validation, and application of advanced human iPSC-derived neuronal systems and multi-omics approaches to characterise host–virus interactions that drive encephalitic disease, with the aim of informing future therapeutic strategies.

You will have strong organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, excellent written and verbal communication abilities, and a proven capacity to work both independently and as part of a team in a research-intensive environment.

We’re Looking for Someone With:

• A PhD/DPhil in virology, cell biology, neuroscience, or a closely related field
• Strong expertise in molecular virology and viral neuropathogenesis
• Experience generating, culturing, and differentiating human iPSCs and iPSC-derived neuronal systems, including brain organoids and/or blood–brain barrier models
• Experience applying transcriptomic and/or proteomic approaches to study virus–host interactions
• Experience with genetic manipulation techniques, including CRISPR/Cas9
• A strong foundation in cell and molecular biology
• Experience working in high-containment (BSL-3) laboratory environments
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative research team