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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

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join an internationally recognised team of research groups in a vibrant and stimulating environment.

We are seeking an experienced, highly motivated and passionate individual to join an exciting project, within the Renshaw Lab (https://renshaw.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/), critical to understanding how phagocytic cells control how they kill different microbes and to uncover core mechanisms of the innate immune response and fundamentally change our knowledge of how phagocytes respond to diverse microbial challenges. You will also be part of a wider cross-faculty collaboration investigating novel features of the immune system.

You will be responsible developing and characterising zebrafish models of specialised phagosome maturation within different immune cells and deconvolve the microbial factors involved in the innate response to infection. The candidate should be passionate about immunological research and animal modelling, ideally with a track record of technical skills in these areas. 

Your main responsibilities will be to generate new immune cell specific transgenics and perform in vivo experiments to assess phagosome maturation, lipid accumulation and infection outcome. You will have a PhD in a relevant subject, ideally with previous experience of using zebrafish as a model organism, skills in high-resolution fluorescent microscopy, excellent molecular biology techniques and genetic manipulation techniques (transgenics, CRISPR/Cas9). Bacterial culture skills would be an advantage. Team spirit and a strong work ethic are essential in this diverse team who values teamwork and cohesion. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are expected.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Undertake research on mechanisms of phagosome maturation and pathogen killing in line with project requirements.
• Perform genetic manipulation of zebrafish to generate transgenic and mutant lines.
• Perform immune cell and infection assays.
• Work closely with the research team to develop hypotheses, experimental protocols, analytical tools and biological samples to achieve the programme’s goals.
• Lead on the design and planning experimental work with members of the research team and agree on an inclusive strategy to complete the research programme.
• Regularly update the research team on project progress and development.
• Support and maintain a collegiate and supportive research environment and contribute to the supervision of junior members of the research team.
• Interact and collaborate with partners in other institutions and industry to develop effective and positive partnerships and collaborations.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments.
• Obtain, analyse and interpret data, keeping clear accessible records, making data, records and protocols available according to open/FAIR principles as soon as possible.
• Prepare papers for journals / presentation in-house or at national and international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Write supporting documents (such as protocols, reports, etc.) to support the research team and wider community.
• Work with the team to design and develop future experiments, funding applications, scientific papers and partnerships.
• Actively participate in the team’s collaborative research, including taking on roles in lab safety, ordering, providing training and administration as required.
• As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade 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 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.

Essential criteria

• Have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in infection, biology, immunology or a related field (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Experience with zebrafish in vivo models (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Experience of infection assays or working with pathogens (assessed at: application/Interview).
• High resolution imaging skills using fluorescent and/or confocal microscopy (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Ability to manage an independent original research project, including critical analysis and problem solving (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Ability to work as part of a collaborative team and evidence of training and supporting students, colleagues and/or group members (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Ability to work with external industrial or academic collaborators and partners (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Effective verbal communication skills including experience of delivering presentations and communicating with other members of a research team (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Effective written communication skills including the ability to draft scientific publications and reports (assessed at: application/Interview).

Desirable criteria

• Hold an Animal Licence (PIL) (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Knowledge of phagosome involvement in bacterial killing (assessed at: application/Interview).

Further Information

Grade: G7.3

Duration: 48 months

Line manager: PI

Direct reports: None

For informal enquiries about this job contact Prof. Steve Renshaw, PI: on s.a.renshaw@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. This will consist of a visit to the lab to meet the team and a research presentation and interview.

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.

Redeployees closing date: 19 February 2025

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.