Research Fellow - Immunology and Immunotherapy - 108289 - Grade 7

Location: United Kingdom Department: Academic Non-clinical

Position Details

Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £37,369 to £46,970, with potential progression once in post to £49,798

Grade 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2030

Closing date: 22nd November 2026

Background

A post-doctoral research fellow position is available in the Fungal Immunology Group within the Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, led by Prof Rebecca Drummond. This role is to create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of  activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed scientist to join our project team, which is aiming to better understand organ-specific immune responses against fungal pathogens. The successful candidate will make extensive use of a range of in vivo models of fungal infection and will have access to the wide range of transgenic tools and in vivo immunology techniques established in the Drummond lab. Training can be provided in the use of in vivo models. The candidate’s research will focus on how fungal pathogens respond to cues encountered in organ-specific environments and how immune cells influence fungal adaptation. This is an exciting opportunity to investigate regulation of fungal adaptation and antifungal immunity in vivo. As an example of the work the team has previously published, please see Mohamed et al, Nature Communications 2023 and Hain et al, Nature Communications 2025. The position would ideally suit someone with microbiology background looking to expand their skillset into host-pathogen interactions.

The candidate will be based in Drummond lab, which is part of a larger international consortium, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The candidate will join meetings and meet other team members based in Denmark and Uganda. All groups will work closely together during the project. There will be opportunity for additional training for the successful applicant with our collaborators to develop a wide range of technical expertise in immunology, neuroscience and microbiology.

Funding for the position is available for 3 years, with possibility of extension. The lab is located within the Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham, where a collaborative environment exists, rich in immunologists with a range of complimentary research interests. We also closely work with our colleagues in the Institute of Microbiology & Infection who specialise in fungal biology and drug resistance.

The candidate should demonstrate a good understanding of molecular microbiology and have excellent written and oral communication skills. They will be expected to help develop new techniques within the laboratory, help supervise project/undergraduate students, and present their data regularly at internal lab meetings and external conferences.

All applicants should be ideally proficient with microbial genetics, molecular microbiology, basic tissue culture and molecular biology techniques. Prior experience with bioinformatics (microbial sequencing and proteomics) would be advantageous. Applicants should be able to demonstrate prior research success; for example, through publications/pre-prints, presentations at conferences and relevant academic prizes/travel awards.

Role Summary

Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids

Operate within area of specialism

Analyse and interpret research findings and results

Contribute to generating funding

Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required

Contribute to writing bids for research funding

Analyse and interpret data

Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding

Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc

Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline

Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods

Undertake management/administration arising from research

Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration

Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader

Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews *

Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters *

Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research *

Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines*

Fosters a fair and equitable workplace for all staff

Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures

Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity duties document.

Person Specification

A PhD relevant in immunology or microbiology (or near completion), or equivalent PhD level qualifications.

High level analytical capability

First author publications in peer-reviewed journals

Previous experience and strong interest in medical mycology, microbiology and/or fungal biology.