Research Assistant

Imperial College London - Department of Immunology and Inflammation

About the role:

We are looking for a Research Assistant to work on a project within the Centre for Inflammatory Disease, in the Department of Immunology and Inflammation, at Imperial College London. This post is funded by UKRI and is part of a long-term research program focused on human systems immunology and commensal-specific immune responses.

This post is within Professor Petter Brodin’s group, whose laboratory focuses on the development of the immune system in early life. The team also studies variation in immune responses in health and disease, including sex differences, the effects of sex hormones on immune function, the regulatory mechanisms underlying such variation, and how the immune system adapts to environmental influences.

The Centre for Inflammatory Disease (CID) at Imperial College London is a multidisciplinary hub focused on understanding the mechanisms driving inflammation and translating this knowledge into new therapies. It brings together clinicians and scientists across immunology, rheumatology, nephrology, gastroenterology, and respiratory medicine. The Centre integrates basic science with clinical research to tackle chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Through cutting-edge approaches—such as genomics, single-cell analysis, and translational immunology—CID plays a leading role in advancing personalized medicine and improving outcomes for patients with inflammatory conditions.

What you would be doing:

You will provide technical support and conduct experimental work within the GIFT study (Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy and Immune Function in Trans Individuals) to determine immune system adaptation during sex-hormone treatment. More specifically, you will assist with blood sample collection from a transgender health clinic, sample processing, and perform exciting experiments such as whole blood stimulation cultures and fixation procedures, ELISA/SIMOA, and analysis by high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry. A particular focus will be on commensal-specific immune responses and their regulation by sex-hormones.

What we are looking for:

• MSc in a relevant discipline like Biology, Biotechnology, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience
• Knowledge of research methods and statistical procedures
• Prior experience in flow cytometry, SIMOA, cell cultures, and handling blood samples
• Practical experience within a research environment and / or publication in relevant and refereed journals
• Ability to understand, develop and innovate methods

What we can offer you:

• Professor Brodin’s group is internationally renowned for their research on experimental and computational methods for systems-level analyses of the human immune systems. This research provides a great opportunity for those interested in a career in immunology research.
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• Benefit from sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• Gain access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and a cycle-to-work scheme.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further Information

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This is a full-time post available until 31 December 2029

If you require any further details about the role, please contact:

Prof. Petter Brodin – Email: p.brodin@imperial.ac.uk.