Senior Research Associate in Immunopsychiatry

The role

We have an exciting opportunity for a talented postdoctoral researcher to join the Immunopsychiatry Programme led by Professor Golam Khandaker at the MRC Integrative Epidemiology unit (IEU) at the University of Bristol. You will be joining a multidisciplinary team of clinical and basic science researchers who are working to find new and more targeted ways to treat depression and other psychiatric disorders. The team use epidemiological, genetic and data science methods as well as clinical trials to identify and validate immunological causal mechanisms, novel treatment targets, and disease subtypes. This role will involve leading on research examining the relationship between inflammation and depression and other psychiatric disorders through analysis of epidemiological cohort/biobank and clinical datasets.

What will you be doing?

The post-holder will lead on research examining the relationship between inflammation and depression and other psychiatric disorders. This will involve analysis of epidemiological cohort/biobank and clinical trial datasets including blood and other biomarkers data, psychiatric diagnosis and questionnaire data, and other types of data. There will be scope for developing skills in epidemiological and genetic epidemiological methods such as Mendelian randomization. As well as data analysis, the post-holder will write and publish papers, present at conferences and other scientific meetings, develop/contribute to fellowship/grant applications, help with supervision of students and staff, and make a positive contribution to the wider objectives of the group through for example science communication, public engagement and involvement. The post-holder will possess good communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team.

You should apply if

You should apply if you are a researcher seeking to develop a career in immunopsychiatry and contribute to our understanding of immune and metabolic pathways contributing to development and prognosis of mental health conditions particularly depression. The role will suit a researcher with good knowledge and experience of analysing blood immunological and other biomarkers, psychiatric and cognitive data. Given the focus on inflammation, knowledge of immune/inflammatory biomarkers and pathways and their role in depression and other psychiatric disorder will be necessary.

Please see Job Description for further information including essential criteria for selection.

Additional information

Contract type: Open-ended with funding until 31/07/2026

Work pattern: Full time/ 1 FTE

Shift pattern: 35 hours per week 

This advert will close at 23:59 GMT on 22/05/2024

For informal queries please contact: Prof Golam Khandaker (golam.khandaker@bristol.ac.uk)

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The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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