Postdoctoral Research Fellow Job profile

We seek a highly motivated and productive Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a research programme led by Professors Neil Gow and Al Brown within the MRC CMM at the University of Exeter. The objective is to define how innate immune cells recognise the major pathogen, Candida albicans, and how this fungus evades immunity as it adapts to host niches.
The successful applicant will: develop their ideas with Professors Gow and Brown; execute their own research project; collaborate effectively with other members of the team to help them complete their projects; write up their work for publication; present their work at conferences; integrate with other members of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology as a whole; and contribute to the activities of the Centre (e.g. research, outreach and teaching).
The Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM) is one of the most ambitious strategic investments in UK medical mycology. The MRC CMM is a world-leading research centre that is helping to tackle the major global threats to human health caused by fungal diseases. In fact, fungal infections now kill more people worldwide than malaria and similar numbers to tuberculosis. The Centre brings together researchers from the fields of medicine and living systems, and the biological, chemical, physical and mathematical sciences to increase our understanding of fungal pathogens and cognate immune defences, and to identify new ways to diagnose, prevent and treat fungal diseases. A major activity of the MRC CMM is to increase UK capacity in fundamental and clinical research in medical mycology through research and training programmes for medical and biosciences students and early career researchers. The Centre has established strategic interactions with other national and
international groups is promoting public engagement and understanding of our science., Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;


• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly


• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development


• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
  
  The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. They will have proven expertise in many of the following areas: antifungal immunity; fungal recognition mechanisms; advanced fungal molecular and cell biology and biochemistry; advanced microscopy; genomics and/or proteomics; cytometry. They will have a proven ability to work independently on a cutting-edge, cross-disciplinary scientific research project, whilst collaborating effectively to help other members of a team. They will possess specialist knowledge in the discipline and have the initiative to develop research programmes and methodologies. The primary role will be to execute their own project successfully and contribute to publishing the resultant outputs.


• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy



• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon


The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.
Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world's most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).
We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research - Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.
Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.
With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

The starting salary will be from £41,732 on Grade F, depending on qualifications and experience.
Contractual hours

36.5
Package

Generous holiday allowances, flexible working, pension scheme and relocation package (if applicable).