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 £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2027
Closing date: 11th September 2025

BACKGROUND

We are seeking a motivated post-doctoral research fellow to join our Wellcome Trust funded project investigating how mitochondrial regulation coordinates the inflammatory response.
The candidate will join the close-working groups of Dr Sally Clayton and Prof Sarah Dimeloe in the Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medicine and Health, at the University of Birmingham. They will contribute to Dr Clayton’s Wellcome Trust Early Career Award project, studying the dynamic changes in the mitochondrial electron transport chain during inflammation, and how these influence immune function and disease. The project combines biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and in vivo models to deliver a comprehensive picture of immuno-metabolic function during inflammation. This is related to Dr Clayton’s published work on mitochondrial remodeling: Clayton et al Science Advances 2021, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl5182.
Dr Clayton and Prof Dimeloe provide complementary expertise in immunometabolism, and also work collaboratively with other groups across the Departments of Immunology and Immunotherapy, and Inflammation and Ageing, bringing together experts in immunology, respiratory medicine and rheumatology. Dr Clayton also leads the cross-college Birmingham Translational Mitochondrial Research Network, providing additional opportunities for the candidate to expand their network and work collaboratively in relevant areas.
Funding for the position is available for 2 years. The candidate will analyse metabolic and immune functionality using a variety of in vitro and in vivo models relevant to the inflammatory response, with a particular focus on macrophages. The candidate should demonstrate a good understanding of immunology, 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.
Applicants should be proficient in basic tissue culture and molecular biology techniques, as well as flow cytometry, and ideally be experienced with in vivo models. Previous experience of metabolic assays 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

• Use in vitro and in vivo models to analyse metabolic and immune function under inflammatory conditions of interest
• Regularly present findings at team meetings and interact closely with collaborators
• Operate within area of specialism
• 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 for publication, research seminars etc
• 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
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.