Post-doctoral Research Associate

About the role

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant challenge to modern medicine, commonly arising when bacteria acquire mutations or new genes that undermine antimicrobial efficacy. One major driver of resistance is the repeated use of antibiotics to treat relapsing infections. In such cases, antibiotics initially appear to clear the infection, but it rapidly returns once treatment ends. At the core of these relapses is a subpopulation of bacteria known as antibiotic persisters. These cells temporarily adopt a drug-tolerant state, often by sequestering within macrophages – key cells of the innate immune system. The Hill Group uses Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as a model pathogen to investigate how host–pathogen interactions contribute to antibiotic failure, particularly in the context of macrophage infection.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead a high-impact project with two aims:

1. to characterise the phenotypes of persisters and infected macrophages during acute infection and antibiotic exposure, using advanced infection model systems; and
2. to identify novel immunomodulatory or persister-targeting strategies to eliminate Salmonella persisters during infection.

Although the initial focus will be on invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella, the successful candidate will be encouraged to expand this research to include other intracellular pathogens associated with relapsing infections in later stages.

This role can be held on either a full-time or part time basis (21-35 hours per week), and you will be offered an fixed-term contract for 24 months.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• PhD qualified in microbiology*
• Extensive practical experience with in vitro and intracellular persister assays, including CFU/survival-based methods and macrophage infection models, with a demonstrable publication record on Salmonella Typhimurium antibiotic persisters in the context of infection biology 
• Advanced molecular microbiology skills, including bacterial genetic manipulation (e.g. gene knockouts, plasmid construction), phage transduction, transformations in Salmonella and at least two other bacterial species, and routine molecular assays such as colony PCR and nucleic acid isolation
• Strong track record in host–pathogen interaction work, particularly involving macrophage infections, immune cell culture, and the use of BSL3/CL3 containment procedures
• Proficiency in high-resolution analytical techniques, including qRT-PCR, Western and Northern blotting, EMSAs, ELISAs, radiochemical assays, and protein purification methods
• Competence in bioanalytical and cell biology tools, including fluorescence activated cell sorting, cell line propagation, and in vitro biochemical manipulation of RNA species, coupled with solid data interpretation skills
• Demonstrated lab management and leadership experience, such as overseeing consumables procurement, organising safety inductions, maintaining lab infrastructure, supervising students, and coordinating lab activities and meetings
• Strong science communication and publication skills, including the creation of scientific figures/models, contribution to and revision of manuscripts, conference presentations (oral and/or poster), and outreach/public engagement (e.g. lab websites, science festivals)

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6. 

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