Preterm birth (or PTB) is defined as birth before 37 weeks gestation and is the largest cause of death in children under five. Early PTB, before 34 weeks, occurs in nearly 3% of pregnancies and is the major cause of the death of newborn babies (80% mortality), and of lifelong disabilities in survivors (25% severe handicap, and 75% overall morbidity). Spontaneous PTB is a syndrome caused by multiple aetiologies, making it challenging to predict or anticipate. Currently, the strongest risk factor for PTB is previous PTB. However, the majority of PTBs occur in women with no identifiable risk factors and in their first pregnancies. Current predictive tests include cervical length scans and the now discontinued foetal fibronectin test which are usually conducted during late 2nd or 3rd trimester. With limited accuracies, these tests are unsuitable for early prediction and patient stratification. We have developed an innovative, minimally invasive blood test designed to identify women at risk of preterm birth from as early as 12 weeks’ gestation. This test is based on the integration of miRNA-based biomarkers and clinical risk stratification strategies.
The Research Associate position is funded through an MRC grant which aims to optimise and demonstrate the clinical efficacy of a novel blood test for early prediction of PTB in real-life setting. You will join the team of Dr Sylvain Ladame (Bioengineering, White City Campus) and work in close collaboration with the team of Dr Vasso Terzidou (Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Hammersmith Campus). Throughout the project, you will be working alongside all team members from both groups.
In this role, you will:
- Design, engineer and characterise Nanoparticle conjugated to Peptide Nucleic Acids (or PNAs);
- Technically and clinically validate an assay prototype for microRNA detection based on these bespoke particles;
- Develop a data driven software for automated and unbiased analysis of flow cytometry data.
You will also have the opportunity to supervise MEng/MRes students. Where desired, experiences in other teaching roles, including lecturing, will be enabled as part of the broad range of career development opportunities that Imperial makes available to its postdoctoral research staff. There are several opportunities to visit laboratories across the world for collaborative work.
To be successful in the role, you will be a friendly, motivated, critical and independent candidate with a PhD (or equivalent) in bioengineering, chemistry, or related fields, and a keen interest in translational research at the intersection between chemistry, bioengineering and nanotechnology.
You will ideally have extensive experience in solid-phase peptide chemistry, analytical science, nanoparticle engineering and flow cytometry analysis. You will need to be able to conduct experimental work in a wet lab setting and will ideally have some interest and experience in machine learning and software development for data analysis. You will possess excellent organisational skills, the ability to work toward deadlines with minimal supervision, and have strong written and oral communication skills.
You will be engaging, supportive and motivating in all interactions with other researchers and students in the two departments you will be working in, and provide mentorship where appropriate. You will also have a strong interest in being part of a collaborative and inclusive research group.
- The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
- Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
- Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
- Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
This post is available to start no later than 01 November 2026, full-time, fixed term for 12 months
Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant salary £47,223.
If you require any further details about the role, please contact: Dr Sylvain Ladame – [email protected].
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