Research Fellow

The postholder will deliver the exciting project funded by UK Medical Research Council in the research group led by Dr Anna D Krasnodembskaya at the Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast. The project will study the link between pre-mature lung epithelial cell senescence and regulation of lung recovery, dysregulated immune response and maladaptive remodelling in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

The successful candidate will investigate the cross-talk between premature senescence and alveolar epithelial function in ARDS using experimentation with primary human pulmonary epithelial cells and lung organoids. The main purpose of this project is to characterise senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in primary lung epithelial cells in ARDS, identify novel therapeutic targets to counteract the onset of senescence and test novel therapeutic strategies based on siRNA or engineered MSC EVs and isolated MSC mitochondria.

This project is milestones-driven so strict adherence to deadlines is essential. The successful applicant is expected to lead this ambitious cutting-edge research project and will be involved with supervision, planning, day-to-day lab management, collaborations and outreach. Applications are invited from enthusiastic, highly motivated, efficient and organised individuals with a strong commitment to a career in research and development.

About the person:

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Have or are about to obtain* a relevant PhD in a biomedical field of laboratory-based research e.g respiratory biology, immunology, biochemistry, or cell biology

(*must be obtained within 3 months of commencement of employment)

• Have significant recent research experience in respiratory biology, lung organoids, cell aging and senescence, lung epithelial regeneration.
• Have extensive previous hands-on experience in at least 3 of the following:
  • Primary human pulmonary epithelial, endothelial and immune cell (monocyte derived macrophages, Tcells, neutrophils) culture and their evaluation by modern molecular biology techniques.
  • Lung organoid cultures and their evaluation by bioimaging
  • Assays to evaluate cellular senescence and SASP
  • Manipulation of gene expression in primary cells (SiRNA, shRNA, plasmids and AAV or lentivirus-based technologies
  • Experience with siRNA (or shRNA) therapeutics, MSC extracellular vesicles and their modifications
  • Confocal and fluorescence microscopy
• Reports, manuscript and abstract writing experience
• Recent high-quality original research publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with career stage.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information document on our website.

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