Research Associate in Fungal Genomics

Location: South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London 

About the role:

Are you passionate about tackling the growing threat of fungal diseases through cutting-edge field studies and genomics? Do you want to work on a high-impact international project at the interface of clinical science, epidemiology, and antifungal resistance?

We invite applications for a Post-doctoral Research Associate to join DAR-SEA (Drivers of Antifungal Resistance in South-East Asia) programme – a UKRI-funded programme aimed at identifying the drivers of Aspergillus fumigatus antimicrobial resistance in South-East Asia.

DAR-SEA brings together leading UK and international partners to integrate clinical, laboratory, environmental, and genomic data to better understand the One Health drivers of fungal antimicrobial resistance. This work will directly support public health decision-making and strengthen healthcare resilience in a region facing rapid changes in infectious disease dynamics.

You will join a transdisciplinary team combining expertise in infectious diseases, data science, mycology, and global health. Our partners include institutions across the UK, Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos, with strong links to government agencies, hospitals, and research institutes.

What you would be doing:

• Developing and applying phylogenomic models to identify risk factors, predict antifungal resistance trends, and identify environmental drivers for fungal antimicrobial resistance.
• Working with large, multi-source datasets spanning patient clinical records, fungal pathogen genomics, antifungal susceptibility profiles, and environmental surveillance data.
• Collaborating with in-country partners to design public health toolsthat can be deployed in clinical and community settings.
• Contributing to capacity-building activitiesincluding workshops, training, and knowledge transfer with partners in South-East Asia.
• Disseminating research findings through peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, and presentations to both academic and public health audiences.

What we are looking for:

• Enthusiastic PhD qualified scientists with strengths and experience in microbiology or related discipline and a demonstrable interest in drug discovery and fungal diseases.
• Keen to develop as fundamental scientists in a transdisciplinary environment
• A PhD (or near completion) in fungal genomics, epidemiology, data science, bioinformatics, microbiology, or a related discipline.
• Strong skills in data integration, statistical modelling, and/or machine learning.
• Experience working with health, genomic, or environmental datasets.
• Ability to work collaboratively in international, interdisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to research that delivers real-world public health impact.
• Team players who openly collaborate and enjoy disseminating knowledge locally and though international presentations and leading journal publications

What we can offer you:

• A key role in a major UKRI-funded initiative with direct policy and public health relevance.
• Collaboration with leading global experts in fungal disease, AI, and health systems strengthening.
• Opportunities for field engagement in South-East Asia.
• Competitive salary, sector-leading benefits, and career development support.
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity
• Benefit from sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including generous leave and pension schemes)
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and a cycle-to-work scheme

Further Information

• Full-time, fixed-term contract for 2 years
• Expected start date: Dec 2025
• Based at South Kensington Campus

To discuss please contact Darius Armstrong-James (d.armstrong@imperial.ac.uk).

See the job descriptions for more specifics. 

Email addresses for enquiries only. 

CV and cover letter must be submitted via the online HR portal as detailed below.

Advert information