Research Fellow

Location: Leeds - Main Campus

Contract type: Fixed Term (until 2026 to complete specific time limited work)

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in Molecular Virology and Neurobiology and looking to apply these skills to gain a novel molecular understanding of the mechanism of arbovirus infections in the human brain? Do you want to further your career in one of the UKs leading research intensive Universities?

Applications are invited for a Wellcome Trust funded Postdoctoral Research Fellow position to join a dynamic team in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology. The project is aimed towards understanding emerging RNA virus infections in the human brain, using tick-borne flaviviruses as model systems. Prior experience in transcriptomics and CRISPR/Cas9 knockout generation is essential. The project will involve experiments using human neuronal progenitor cells (hNPCs) or brain organoids.

We are seeking a highly motivated and well-organised candidate with a PhD (or be close to completion) in virology, cell biology, neurology, or a closely allied discipline. You should have excellent organisational skills, including data collection, database management and data analysis. The project will involve learning and applying cutting-edge brain organoid techniques including virological assessments in organoid cultures, therefore experience in culturing iPSCs and their genetic manipulation is essential. You should also have previous experience of working in a high containment biosafety category 3 (BSL3) facility. Some experience in studying the role of proteins in cellular cytotoxicity and apoptosis would be desirable as the project will involve the use of both approaches.

This position is ideal for an experienced researcher looking to further develop their technical repertoire. You would join a dynamic research group that utilizes a range of cellular, virological, and high-resolution imaging systems to tackle viral infections in the human brain.

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/global-talent

What we offer in return:

26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year! 

Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary

Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.

Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.

Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr Niluka Goonawardane, Wellcome CDA Fellow

Email: N.Goonawardane@leeds.ac.uk

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