Research Fellow

This post is based in the Institute of Medical Sciences in the School of Medicine, Medical Science and Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen. The successful applicant will primarily work with Dr Takashi Kubota, who specialises in chromosome biology research and particularly in transcription in pathogenic fungi. The successful candidate will become an integral member of the Aberdeen Fungal Group, a dynamic consortium of six laboratories dedicated to advancing the frontiers of fungal research, and also closely work with Chromosome & Cellular Dynamics Group.

School/Section

Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition

Division

Institute of Medical Sciences

Duration of Post

Funding/Activity Limited

We are recruiting for an exceptional individual as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on the ‘How transcriptional regulation governs fungal drug resistance’ project funded by BBSRC.

Antifungal drug resistance is a serious clinical and societal problem when using drugs to treat infections in humans and other animals. A common cause of drug resistance is overexpression of ‘efflux pump’ genes, which greatly reduce the effectiveness of drugs by pumping them out of cells.

In this project, we will elucidate how expression of drug efflux pump genes is controlled in the pathogenic fungus Candida glabrata. C. glabrata infection is associated with high mortality in individuals with compromised immunity. C. glabrata is particularly deadly as a fungal pathogen because it has low susceptibility to azole antifungal agents, and easily develops drug resistance due to overproduction of efflux pumps. Preventing overexpression of these efflux pump genes is one good approach to ensure C. glabrata can be killed by existing antifungal drugs. However, overproduction mechanism of the pumps is not understood sufficiently well for us to prevent it.

Salary will be at the appropriate point on the Grade 6, £37,099 – £40,521 per annum and negotiable with placement according to qualifications and experience.

Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Takashi Kubota, Lecturer (01224 437494 / [email protected] ).

Should you require a visa to undertake employment in the UK you will be required to fulfil the minimum points criteria to be granted a Certificate of Sponsorship under the requirements of the Skilled Worker visa.  At the time an offer of appointment is made, you will be asked to demonstrate that you fulfil the criteria in respect of qualification and competency in English. For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. Please do not hesitate to contact Grant Rae, HR Adviser (e-mail: [email protected]) for further information.

To apply online for this position visit www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs

Job Reference Number:  IMS276R

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 27 November 2023

The School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition embraces a diverse working environment and recognises the many benefits this can bring.  Applications from individuals from across all of the equality protected characteristics are encouraged.