Research Assistant

The postholder will join the Inflammasome Biology research team led by Dr Rebecca Coll at the Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM). The position will involve working as part of an MRC funded research programme investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the inflammatory response to ferritin and how inflammasome activation and ferritin contribute to the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This project will investigate the ferritin-inflammasome axis in a range of human cell types and patient samples using biochemical, genetic, and immunological approaches.

Successful applicants will have responsibilities in independent research, supervision, planning, day-to-day lab management, collaborations, and outreach. The post is suited to an ambitious and collaborative individual and is available for 18 months. Applications are invited from highly motivated, efficient, and organised individuals with a strong commitment to research. The successful candidate will have a background in immunology, respiratory biology, biochemistry, or cell biology and will be seeking an ambitious research project in a well-supported environment.

About the person:

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Hold a Degree in immunology, biochemistry, respiratory biology, cell biology, molecular biology, or a relevant biomedical science.
• Have significant hands-on experience in the following:

• • Culture of human iPSC-derived macrophages and primary human macrophages.
  • Use of siRNA in human macrophages.
  • Assays for measuring innate immune signalling pathways including Western blotting, ELISAs, cell death assays, and ASC speck formation assays.
  • Confocal and fluorescence microscopy.
  • 5RNA sequencing experiments and analysis.
  • Handling of patient samples and knowledge and training in the Human Tissue Act.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.

This post is available for 18 months or until 30^th April 2027, whichever is soonest. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits.

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/diversity.

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