Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Help uncover how plastic pollution may be contributing to the global rise in liver disease and join a pioneering research team at the forefront of environmental hepatology.

We are seeking a talented and motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the Centre for Environmental Hepatology, led by Professor Shilpa Chokshi within the Peninsula Medical School. This fully funded two-year position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to internationally significant research exploring how environmental pollutants, particularly micro- and nanoplastics, impact liver health and disease.

About the role

Micro- and nanoplastics are increasingly recognised as a potential threat to human health, yet many questions remain about their role in disease development. In this exciting and highly collaborative project, you will investigate how exposure to these pollutants influences liver inflammation and disease processes, helping to generate new insights into a growing global health challenge.

Working with patient samples and advanced human models, including patient-derived precision-cut liver slices, you will explore the immunological and cellular effects of real-world plastic exposures. Your research will contribute to our understanding of inflammation, oxidative stress and cancer development, with the potential to shape future approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

You will join a dynamic interdisciplinary team bringing together expertise in hepatology, immunology, microbiology, toxicology and environmental science. The role also benefits from strong partnerships with the Hepatology Research Group at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, providing access to clinical samples and opportunities to undertake impactful translational research that bridges laboratory discovery and patient care.

At Plymouth, you'll be part of a supportive and inclusive research community where collaboration, innovation and personal development are actively encouraged. We are committed to creating an environment where researchers from all backgrounds can thrive and make meaningful contributions.

About you

We are looking for someone with a passion for scientific discovery and a desire to tackle complex health and environmental challenges through collaborative research.

You will ideally have:

• A PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as liver biology, immunology, toxicology, environmental health or biomedical sciences.
• A strong publication record demonstrating research excellence, critical thinking and scientific rigour.
• Experience working with cell culture, tissue-based systems and/or advanced disease models.
• Expertise in immunological, molecular or cellular techniques, such as flow cytometry, qPCR, ELISA, confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence or multiplex cytokine analysis.
• Experience analysing complex biological data and confidence using statistical software such as GraphPad Prism, R or SPSS.
• Excellent communication, presentation and scientific writing skills.
• A proactive, organised and collaborative approach to working within multidisciplinary teams.

We encourage you to apply

You do not need to meet every requirement listed to be successful in this role. We recognise that talent and potential can be demonstrated in different ways, and we welcome applications from candidates whose experience aligns with most of the criteria. If you are excited by the opportunity and believe you could contribute to this research, we would love to hear from you.

Closing date:  12 midnight, Sunday 11 October 2026