Research Fellow

You will join the research group led by Dr Anna D Krasnodembskaya at the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast.

You will deliver the exciting project funded by UK Medical Research Council focussed on deciphering 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 study will investigate the cross-talk between premature senescence and alveolar epithelial function and immune response in ARDS using animal models of lung injury and primary human pulmonary cells. The main purpose of this project is to characterise the impact of premature epithelial senescence on the course of lung injury and immune response in vivo and test new therapeutic strategies based on siRNA therapeutics, 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.

About the person:

The successful applicant will have a background in respiratory biology, mouse models of lung injury, work with genetically modified animals, immunology, human lung regeneration, cell aging, senescence, siRNA therapeutics or extracellular vesicle therapy development.

Essential criteria:

• Have or be about to obtain (must be obtained within 3 months of commencement of employment) a relevant PhD in a biomedical field of laboratory-based research, for example respiratory biology, biochemistry, immunology or cell biology
• Significant recent research experience in respiratory biology, animal models of lung disease, cell aging and senescence, lung epithelial regeneration.
• Extensive previous hands-on experience in at least 3 of the following:

• • Animal models of inflammatory lung disease
  • Animal breeding and colony maintenance, work with genetically modified animals
  • Advanced flow cytometry (e.g. FACS Symphony A5) and data analysis
  • Assays to evaluate senescence pathways and SASP
  • Manipulation of gene expression in primary cells (SiRNA, shRNA, plasmids and virus based technologies
  • siRNA (or shRNA) therapeutics, extracellular vesicles and their modifications.
• Reports, manuscript and abstract writing experience.
• Up to date 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 on our website.

This post is available for 34 months or to 31 October 2028 whichever is soonest. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

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