Research Assistant / Associate in Interferonopathy
Newcastle, GB
Salary: Research Assistant: £33,951 - £35,608 per annum
Research Associate: £36,636 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 09 October 2026
The Role
An exciting opportunity arises to contribute to excellent translational immunology research in a superb academic setting. You will join a thriving, internationally recognised team focused on decoding disease mechanism in inborn errors of immunity, led by Prof Sophie Hambleton and Dr Chris Duncan. We share bespoke lab space with a diverse community of researchers in the Immunity and Inflammation Theme, housed in the Leech Building at the heart of Newcastle’s Medical School.
In this project, funded by MRC, we are investigating what cell types are responsible for a devastating neuroinflammatory disease mediated by type I interferon (IFN). Our earlier discovery of a novel inborn error of STAT2’s negative feedback upon IFN signalling has led to a mouse model that faithfully recapitulates human disease. This project explores the cellular drivers of this IFN-mediated neuropathology using conditional in vivo expression of the pathogenic allele in individual cell types, allied with human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) models of the corresponding cell types in vitro. We will also assess novel IFN-I inhibitors developed in partnership with medicinal chemistry collaborators. This project will shed light on direct and indirect pathogenic properties of IFN-I in the CNS, providing a framework for interpreting pathomechanism in neurological disease.
Your role will be integral to the team delivering this research and will call upon core skills such as tissue culture, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence microscopy, and immunoblotting. The project provides opportunities for additional training and experience in the use of hiPSC-derived in vitro models, live cell imaging as well as mouse husbandry. We follow the Researcher Development Concordat: Researcher Development | Our Research | Newcastle University. We enable all colleagues to fulfil their research potential regardless of career stage. This commitment secures our thriving research culture and a vibrant research environment. Our offer to each individual includes mentoring, annual researcher development discussions, pooled funding to support career development, and peer review support for the development of research and innovation funding applications.
We are keen to hear from those with a passion for translational science and the ability to interact and engage with specialists from diverse perspectives. The present post is funded until October 2027.
How to apply – please provide a CV and cover letter setting out your motivation for applying, your career intentions and evidencing how you meet the essential criteria.
As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf. These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.
Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/
Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/translational/
Contact for the post is
Dr Christopher Duncan: christopher.duncan@ncl.ac.uk
Prof Sophie Hambleton: sophie.hambleton@ncl.ac.uk
Duration of post is until October 2027.
Key Accountabilities
Research Assistant
- Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
- Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
- Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
- Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books)
- Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate
In addition, for Research Associate
- Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project
- Determine appropriate methodologies for research
- Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
- Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
- Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
- Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Research Assistant
- Detailed knowledge of innate antiviral immunity
- Proven proficiency in relevant laboratory techniques including several of the following: tissue culture, nucleic acid extraction, RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, fluorescence microscopy, live cell imaging, immunoblotting etc
- Prior experience of working with either in vivo (rodent) models, ideally with personal animal licence; or induced pluripotent stem cells, or both; willingness to train in same
- Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
- Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
- Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
- Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
- Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
- The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems.
In addition for Research Associate
- Awareness of the research environment
- High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
- Basic bioinformatic skills
- Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
- Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications
Attributes and Behaviour
- Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
- Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
- Commitment to continued professional development
- Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity
Qualifications
Research Assistant
- Honours degree in a biomedical subject
In addition for Research Associate
- PhD in immunity/inflammation or other relevant topic
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 29761