Postdoctoral Research Associate
Company
Location
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Posted At
8/8/2025
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Description
Job Description
Grade UE07: £40,497 - £48,149 per annum (pro rata if part-time)
CSE / School of Biological Sciences / Institute of Infection and Immunology Research
Full time: 35 hours per week
Fixed term: 36 months
We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic Postdoctoral researcher to join the Maclean lab to investigate the metabolism of the human parasite Toxoplasma gondii.
The Opportunity
A postdoctoral position is available in the research group of Dr Andrew Maclean (Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh). We are looking for a researcher interested in parasite biology for a wet-lab based role. Applicants should have (or be close to completing) a PhD in microbiology, biochemistry, molecular cell biology or a related field.
The lab works on Toxoplasma gondii, a highly successful parasite of both humans and animals. Toxoplasma is highly versatile, able to infect all warm-blooded animals, and ubiquitous, with an estimated quarter of the global population chronically infected. As an intracellular parasite it has to obtain all the nutrients it needs to replicate and cause infection from the host-cell environment. The lab aims to identify new routes of nutrient acquisition with a special focus on the uptake of important sulphur-containing nutrients. Understanding unique aspects of parasite metabolism may open up new avenues for therapeutic intervention. The project will involve using molecular biology, microscopy, biochemistry and omics approaches to identify and understand factors involved in parasite nutrient acquisition.
The post-holder will be expected to work with a high degree of independence in designing, conducting, and analysing experiments, and will be encouraged to contribute their own ideas to the project direction. They will be expected to disseminate their results in papers, conference presentations, and/or other outputs, and will be supported in career development.
As part of the Maclean lab, you will also join the wider ToxoInEd community, with weekly journal clubs, monthly research talks and a wider community for ECRs across Edinburgh. Additional training and career development opportunities are available through the Scottish Parasitology Partnership in Research Innovation and Training (SPPIRIT).
This post is advertised as full-time (35 hours per week) however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
Application Information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 14th August 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
As the modern inheritors of our 400-year-old reputation for excellence, our staff and students contribute to a vibrant academic community whose visions are shaping tomorrow’s world. The School of Biological Sciences is at the leading edge in teaching, research and innovation. Independent rankings such as the Times Higher Education consistently place us amongst the top 25 universities in the world for biological sciences. We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and to recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development opportunities for all staff. We place a particular focus on development for early-career researchers (postgraduate and postdoctoral research staff and personal fellowship holders), offering mentoring and an active ‘BioDocSoc’ organisation that brings together researchers for networking, events and training opportunities.
The School of Biological Sciences holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.
Our website contains more information about the School.
Grade UE07: £40,497 - £48,149 per annum (pro rata if part-time)
CSE / School of Biological Sciences / Institute of Infection and Immunology Research
Full time: 35 hours per week
Fixed term: 36 months
We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic Postdoctoral researcher to join the Maclean lab to investigate the metabolism of the human parasite Toxoplasma gondii.
The Opportunity
A postdoctoral position is available in the research group of Dr Andrew Maclean (Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh). We are looking for a researcher interested in parasite biology for a wet-lab based role. Applicants should have (or be close to completing) a PhD in microbiology, biochemistry, molecular cell biology or a related field.
The lab works on Toxoplasma gondii, a highly successful parasite of both humans and animals. Toxoplasma is highly versatile, able to infect all warm-blooded animals, and ubiquitous, with an estimated quarter of the global population chronically infected. As an intracellular parasite it has to obtain all the nutrients it needs to replicate and cause infection from the host-cell environment. The lab aims to identify new routes of nutrient acquisition with a special focus on the uptake of important sulphur-containing nutrients. Understanding unique aspects of parasite metabolism may open up new avenues for therapeutic intervention. The project will involve using molecular biology, microscopy, biochemistry and omics approaches to identify and understand factors involved in parasite nutrient acquisition.
The post-holder will be expected to work with a high degree of independence in designing, conducting, and analysing experiments, and will be encouraged to contribute their own ideas to the project direction. They will be expected to disseminate their results in papers, conference presentations, and/or other outputs, and will be supported in career development.
As part of the Maclean lab, you will also join the wider ToxoInEd community, with weekly journal clubs, monthly research talks and a wider community for ECRs across Edinburgh. Additional training and career development opportunities are available through the Scottish Parasitology Partnership in Research Innovation and Training (SPPIRIT).
This post is advertised as full-time (35 hours per week) however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
- A PhD in molecular cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry or a related discipline.
- Experience in tissue culture and molecular biology.
- Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills and be able to interact productively with other team members.
- Ability to manage time to effectively and efficiently achieve the research programmes objectives.
- Ability to quickly learn and independently apply new techniques.
Application Information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
- CV
- Cover letter
- A competitive salary
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 14th August 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
As the modern inheritors of our 400-year-old reputation for excellence, our staff and students contribute to a vibrant academic community whose visions are shaping tomorrow’s world. The School of Biological Sciences is at the leading edge in teaching, research and innovation. Independent rankings such as the Times Higher Education consistently place us amongst the top 25 universities in the world for biological sciences. We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and to recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development opportunities for all staff. We place a particular focus on development for early-career researchers (postgraduate and postdoctoral research staff and personal fellowship holders), offering mentoring and an active ‘BioDocSoc’ organisation that brings together researchers for networking, events and training opportunities.
The School of Biological Sciences holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.
Our website contains more information about the School.
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