POSITION DETAILS

Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to October 2030
Closing date: 24th August 2025

BACKGROUND

A post-doctoral research fellow position is available in the Fungal Immunology Group within the Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham , led by Dr Rebecca Drummond.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed scientist to join our project team, which is aiming to better understand the in-host behaviour of fungal pathogens. The successful candidate will make extensive use of a range of in vivo models of fungal infection and will have access to the wide range of transgenic tools and in vivo immunology techniques established in the Drummond lab. Training will be provided in the use of in vivo models. The candidate’s research will focus on how fungal pathogens respond to cues encountered in organ-specific environments. This is an exciting opportunity to investigate regulation of fungal adaptation and antifungal immunity in vivo. As an example of the work the team has previously published, please see Mohamed et al, Nature Communications 2023, 14: 7202. The position would ideally suit someone with microbiology background looking to expand their skillset into host-pathogen interactions.
The project team comprises of two research groups, Dr Drummond’s group at Birmingham, and the research lab of Dr Rachael Dangarembizi at the University of Cape Town. Both groups are supported by the Wellcome Trust and will work closely together during the project. There will be opportunity for additional training for the successful applicant with our collaborators to develop a wide range of technical expertise in immunology, neuroscience and microbiology.
Funding for the position is available for 3 years, with possibility of extension. The lab is located within the Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham, where a collaborative environment exists, rich in immunologists with a range of complimentary research interests. We also closely work with our colleagues in the Institute of Microbiology & Infection who specialise in fungal biology and drug resistance.
The candidate should demonstrate a good understanding of molecular microbiology, and have excellent communication skills. They will be expected to help develop new techniques within the laboratory, help supervise project/undergraduate students, and present their data regularly at internal lab meetings and external conferences.
All applicants should be ideally be proficient with microbial genetics, molecular microbiology, basic tissue culture and molecular biology techniques. Prior experience with bioinformatics (microbial sequencing and proteomics) would be advantageous. Applicants should be able to demonstrate prior research success; for example, through publications/pre-prints, presentations at conferences and relevant academic prizes/travel awards.

ROLE SUMMARY

• Generate sequencing datasets to analyse fungal genetic signatures in the host
• Cloning and transformation to generate fungal mutants to examine new phenotypes in infection models
• Regularly present findings at team meetings and interact closely with our collaborators
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Help supervise undergraduate and MSc level students conducting projects related to the candidate’s research

MAIN DUTIES

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings by helping to write publications, present at conferences and regular team meetings
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods as appropriate
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.