Postdoctoral Research Associate

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate with a background in experimental tissue biology and/or biophysics to join the interdisciplinary laboratory of Dr Adrien Hallou at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, based within the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science.

You will contribute to a Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research (KTRR) funded project on the biophysical determinants of cell fate decisions in skin inflammatory diseases. Using a pioneering approach called spatial mechano-transcriptomics, recently developed by the Hallou Lab and collaborators at Columbia University (USA) and the University of Cambridge (UK), this project aims to characterise the spatial changes in cell and tissue mechanics and gene expression that occur in skin inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis at single cell resolution.

You will manage an interdisciplinary research programme and associated administrative activities, contribute scientific ideas for new research projects and represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone. You will advise other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques and provide supervision of technical staff and research students, including training and mentorship.

You will hold a relevant PhD/DPhil (or near completion) and have extensive research experience and specialist knowledge of experimental skin biology/biophysics and/or adult epithelial stem cell biology/biophysics. Experience of single-cell and spatial omics experiments and/or data analysis, as well as previously held/able to obtain a Home Office Personal licence, is essential. Experience of soft tissue samples collection, preparation, and mounting for histology and/or immunofluorescence, confocal and live fluorescence microscopy, and tissue explant cultures and/or organoid cultures is desirable.

This is a fixed-term, full time position for 3 years, with a latest possible start date of 01/09/2024, due to funding constraints.  

Due to the nature of the research at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, this job will require additional security pre-employment checks:

•    A satisfactory basic Disclosure and Barring Service check

•    University security screening (e.g., identity checks)

The closing date for this position is 12 noon on Wednesday 3 April 2024. You will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your online application.

Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.