The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

We are looking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate who applies strong immune-biology skills to advance a drug development programme for auto-immune and immune-ageing diseases. The autoimmune disease, lupus affects >3.5million people and requires lifelong management. A critical need exists for cost-effective therapies that suppress inflammatory flares without current complications of immunosuppression or immune rejection. This project is focused around a first-in-class approach to target the root cause of active disease to provide safer, convenient and more effective lupus treatments.

The Research Associate will test molecules created by medicinal chemists for their ability to reduce inflammation in immune cells from healthy people and lupus patients. You will also play a key role in the commercialisation of lead molecules enabling a marketing strategy for licensing.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Collect human peripheral blood and perform cell isolations of specific immune cell fractions
• Culture primary human immune cells and cell lines for small molecule drug testing, mRNA and protein extraction.
• Use cell-based reporter and quantitative PCR biochemical assays to assess changes in inflammatory responses.
• Manage experimental design, data & statistical analysis, data room repository and electronic lab notebook systems.
•  Effectively manage your workload to accomplish project goals and tasks on time and to a high standard.
• Take a leading role in developing new ideas and assist others in the team to help contribute to the idea-generation process.
• Further develop your commercialisation skills, including leadership, communication and other transferable skills.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place online via Google Meet on 16 April 2026. This will consist of an interview which will include a brief research presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage shortly after the job advert closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Heather Wilson at H.L.Wilson@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.