Postdoctoral Research Associate in Spatial Transcriptomics

About the Role

We are seeking a talented and motivated Postdoctoral Research Assistant to lead the bioinformatics framework for a high-impact project. You will analyse existing spatial transcriptomics datasets to unlock fresh insights into murine Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). You will perform digital microdissection by manually or computationally drawing around cysts to isolate disease-specific regions and uncover localised niches of inflammation. Additionally, you will characterise complex ligand-receptor interactions, with a specific focus on dissecting the crosstalk between epithelial cells, immune cells, and fibroblasts following JAK inhibition.

About You

You must hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a quantitative biological field. You must possess documented experience managing spatial/scRNA transcriptomics workflows. Strong programming proficiency in R or Python is essential. Proven experience in data acquisition, integration, deconvolution, and calculating cell-cell communication networks is highly desirable. You must be able to work independently to drive computational pipelines and communicate discoveries effectively within a multi-disciplinary translational research team.

About the School/Department/Institute/Project

The post is funded by Barts Charity and hosted within Dr Maria Fragiadaki’s laboratory at the William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI), based in the Centre for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics at the John Vane Science Centre. The successful candidate will spearhead the project: 'Dissecting the Anti-Inflammatory Impact of JAK Inhibition in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD): Using Spatial Transcriptomics to Dissect Pathophysiology.' This study utilizes cutting-edge 10x Genomics Visium spatial transcriptomics to map how a novel anti-inflammatory treatment affects disease progression. The role offers an exceptional environment to produce high-impact translational research.

About Queen Mary

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

The post is based at the Charterhouse Square (WHRI) Campus in London. It is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed-term for 1 year (12 months), with an expected start date of 15th September 2026. The starting salary will be Grade 4, in the range of £38,419 - £42,091 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

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