Research Associate (Fixed Term) at University of Cambridge

Bronchiectasis is a chronic suppurative lung disease, characterised by permanent dilatation of the bronchi and leading to persistent or repeated bacterial infections that cause progressive inflammatory lung damage and eventually respiratory failure.  While cystic fibrosis (CF), primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), and immunodeficiencies are known to cause bronchiectasis, the majority of cases (over 200,000 in the UK) have no known aetiology, termed ‘idiopathic bronchiectasis’ (IB), and currently have no licensed therapies available to treat them. There is, therefore, a critical unmet need to define the pathophysiology of idiopathic bronchiectasis and thereby identify therapeutic targets. There are currently no in vitro or in vivo models of IB, mandating a multimodal, cross-disciplinary and multi-scale, approach to understand this condition. In this project we will define key pathways involved in the pathobiology of IB by characterising the impact of mutations identified by our whole exome sequencing analysis of IB patients. This requires integration of genomics, single cell and spatial transcriptomics, molecular cell biology, and genetically tractable, optically transparent, functional organ models (incorporating epithelial cells, phagocytic cells, and bacteria).

We are looking for a scientist with broad experience in working with in vitro respiratory infection models, particularly with bacterial pathogens, and strong molecular skills to join our research team. We particularly welcome applicants who are interested in learning cutting edge microfluidics techniques.  We hope to recruit a colleague who shares our passion for discovery and who looks for an exciting challenge within our highly multidisciplinary group.

Our lab is located in the Department of Medicine integrated into the new Heart and Lung Research Institute, the Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease (CITIID), for more info, see https://www.citiid.cam.ac.uk and https://www.infectiousdisease.cam.ac.uk/directory/ceb27%40cam.ac.uk

Our research is funded by the BBSRC, Wellcome Trust, the MRC, the Dementia Research Institute, Janssen, Astex and Alzheimer’s Research UK.  We have extensive collaborations on and off campus.

For informal inquiries please contact Professor Clare Bryant (ceb27@cam.ac.uk). 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 years in the first instance. Position available immediately, funded by a grant from the MRC, working on a collaborative project with medical and physical scientists.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the apply button above.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and a CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The closing date for applications is: 12th November 2023

The interview date for the role is: To be confirmed

Please quote reference RC39170 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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