Research Fellow

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £35,880

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to January 2028

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Fellow (Grade 7) in the laboratory of Dr Ildem Akerman within the Department of Metabolism and Systems Science (MSS), College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham. This post will be funded by the prestigious Steve Morgan Foundation type one diabetes (T1D) Grand Challenge Translational Grant (awarded to Prof David Hodson (principal lead), Oxford University, Dr Ildem Akerman (co-lead), University of Birmingham and Dr Johannes Broichhagen (co-lead), FMP Berlin).

We seek a highly motivated, ambitious and pragmatic scientist to join a successful international team to collaborate on a project that aims to leverage our understanding of the GLP1-receptor to improve stem cell generated beta cell function. The project is challenging, innovative and highly translational.

The successful candidate will be involved in genetic engineering of stem cells (in collaboration of University of Nottingham stem cell facility), its functional characterization, including but not limited to single cell RNA-sequencing and locus-specific proteome sequencing. We are seeking someone who is familiar with genomic techniques, such as Chip-Seq and ATAC-seq, as well as standard laboratory skills such as mammalian tissue culture, flow cytometry and molecular biology techniques. Experience or interest in learning bioinformatic analysis of genomic data and any experience in stem cell tissue culture and/or pancreatic beta cell biology would be desirable.

Responsibilities include:

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

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

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes

Informal enquiries to Ildem Akerman I.Akerman@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.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

Advert information