Research Fellow (Pharmacy)

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974. Grade: 7

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to February 2026

Applications are invited for a highly collaborative 15-month fixed term postdoctoral research fellow position involving characterization of liposome interactions with the bacterial cell envelope. The successful candidate will be based in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Birmingham (UoB), and will also conduct work within the School of Chemical Engineering and the COMPARE (Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors) Advanced Imaging Facility at UoB, and the Division of Pharmacy and Optometry at the University of Manchester.

The project, entitled ‘Probing the interaction of liposome delivery systems with Gram negative bacterial cell envelopes: a comprehensive investigative approach’ (further information here) is funded by the Phospholipid Research Center, and aims to i) formulate a range of liposomal formulations by microfluidic mixing and ii) use a combination of biophysical and microbiological approaches to characterize liposome-bacterial cell envelope interactions. Preliminary efficacy testing of promising formulation candidates will also be carried out.

The successful candidate will drive this interdisciplinary project, supported by a 3-investigator project team with collective extensive expertise in nanoformulation, microbial biotechnology and advanced biophysical techniques. Given the highly interdisciplinary nature of the project, the candidate will receive training from the project team in techniques they do not have experience with.

The successful candidate will have:

• A PhD in a relevant life or physical science subject (required) with experience in pharmaceutics/drug delivery/microbiology (desirable)
• Expertise in formulation and characterization of nanocarriers, with experience in the use of microfluidic mixing for formulation production being highly desirable
• Familiarity and experience in relevant project areas and techniques e.g. use of Langmuir monolayers, bacterial cell culture, flow cytometry, advanced microscopy
• An ability to produce and analyze high quality experimental data
• Excellent and effective communication skills in oral, written and visual formats
• A proven ability to work independently as well as within a project team
• Demonstrable analytical writing experience and publication record
• Proven ability to manage time and tasks efficiently to meet project deadlines.

Informal enquiries to Dr Sarah Gordon (Project Lead): s.c.gordon@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

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