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Research Assistant / Associate in immunology
Requisition ID: 29476
Location:
Newcastle, GB
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Contract Type: Fixed Term
Working Pattern: Full Time
Posted Date: 19 Jun 2026
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Salary:
Research Assistant - £33,951 to £35,608 per annum
Research Associate - £36,636 to £46,049 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 26 June 2026
The Role
We are excited to announce that a research assistant/research associate position is available in the Haematopoiesis and Immunogenomics Lab (HI Lab) at Newcastle University, to cover maternity leave. You will join a research programme focused on understanding how human immunity is generated and regulated through haematopoiesis. Effective immune function depends on the coordinated production of specialised cell types, a process governed by complex networks of transcription factors. However, the mechanisms by which these factors maintain homeostasis in health while enabling adaptive responses to external challenges such as infection and cancer remain poorly defined.
Working within a multidisciplinary and translational research environment, the postholder will apply cutting-edge cell culture, transcriptomic, epigenetic, and genomic approaches to dissect transcription factor function and developmental pathways at single-cell resolution. This includes the use of advanced single-cell multiomics, functional genomics, and integrative computational analyses to define how transcriptional networks control immune cell differentiation and function, and how inter-individual genetic variation shapes immune responses.
A key component of the position will be the translation of mechanistic insights into novel therapeutic strategies. This includes leveraging discoveries in transcriptional and cellular regulation to inform the development of next-generation cellular therapies aimed at manipulating human immunity. These may include engineered immune cell products, dendritic cell-based immunotherapies, or approaches to enhance immune reconstitution and anti-tumour immunity in the context of transplantation, infection, and cancer.
You will contribute to the design and execution of experiments, analysis of high-dimensional datasets, and dissemination of findings through high-impact publications and presentations.
Experience in cell culture, multi-parameter flow cytometry and single cell technologies is critical. Experience in industry is desirable. The applicant must hold a PhD or be within a few months of submitting a PhD thesis.
The post is full time, fixed term for up to 10 months, depending on start date.
Applicants are encouraged to make informal enquiries to Dr Venetia Bigley (
[email protected])
As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf. These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.
Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/
Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/
Contact for the post is Dr Venetia Bigley (
[email protected])
Key Accountabilities
Research Assistant
Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books)
Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate
Research Associate
Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project
Determine appropriate methodologies for research
Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Research Assistant
Ability to set up and run multi-parameter flow cytometry experiments and interpret data (including R, GraphPad Prism, Flowjo)
Ability to set up, maintain and analyse human stem cell differentiation cultures in vitro
Ability to handle, prepare and store limited human samples as viable cells
Ability to perform single cell experiments including phenotyping and transcriptomic analyses
Experience programming, including in R and Python
Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems
In addition for Research Associate
Awareness of the research environment
High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications
Attributes and Behaviour
Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
Commitment to continued professional development
Understanding of and commitment to good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity
Qualifications
Research Assistant
Honours degree in immunology, haematology, molecular biology, or biosciences
Masters in Immunology, chronic disease or a related area
Be within a few months of submitting PhD thesis (3rd or 4th year PhD)
In addition for Research Associate
PhD in immunology, haematology, molecular biology or single cell technologies or similar
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 29476
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