Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a BBSRC-funded research programme investigating how immune and metabolic pathways interact to shape infection outcomes. Using the genetically tractable model organism Drosophila melanogaster, this project will determine how infection-induced triglyceride mobilisation influences survival and why males and females respond differently to bacterial infection.

The successful candidate will play a leading role in the imaging and data analysis components of the project. They will develop and apply high-resolution confocal microscopy, quantitative image analysis and computational approaches to investigate host metabolic responses during infection. The role also involves analysing and integrating large-scale biological datasets to generate a systems-level understanding of infection biology.

About You

Candidates should hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, infection biology, bioinformatics or another relevant biological discipline.

You should have experience of confocal microscopy and fluorescence imaging, together with expertise in quantitative image analysis. Experience analysing large biological datasets, including RNA sequencing, metabolomics, proteomics or whole-genome sequencing data, is essential, along with strong quantitative and computational skills. Experience using R, Python or other statistical programming languages to analyse biological data would be advantageous.

You should be able to work independently, demonstrate excellent organisational and communication skills, and have a track record of disseminating research through scientific publications and presentations.

Experience working with Drosophila, infection biology or metabolism is desirable but not essential.

About the School/Department/Institute/Project

A strong multi-disciplinary focus on teaching and research. The school has well-established links with industry, offering students a stimulating and supportive learning experience. In addition, the school is committed to fostering an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are heard and respected, as recognised by a departmental-level Silver Athena SWAN Award.

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.