Application closing date: 07/12/2020
Salary: £33,797 per annum.
Job category/type: Research

We are recruiting for a Research Fellow in Cardiac Organoids to join Prof Andriana Margariti’s Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine in vascular diseases research team within the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine. The successful candidate will work on a US/Ireland R&D Partnership-funded project based on the development of the next generation cardiac organoid systems using the remarkable technology of induced pluripotent stem cells. This project is employing cutting edge technologies of cell reprogramming, and cell differentiation. Complex in vitro and in vivo models will be used to develop the next-generation cardiac organoid systems that enable clinical therapies for heart disease. Importantly, this post will stimulate an innovation ecosystem network among Ireland, UK, and USA in cardiac patch and organoid systems to address global healthcare challenges.

This is a post funded by Northern Ireland – Public Health Agency, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Department.

The successful candidate will also be supported by the Faculty Postdoctoral Development Centre as part of a wider Queen’s offering which provides outstanding support to researchers. 

The successful candidate must have:

• Have or about to obtain a PhD in a biomedical field of laboratory-based research
• At least 3 years’ recent relevant research experience, to include:
  • Cell culture, including experience working with stem cells, or vascular cells, or organoids.
  • Standard molecular biology techniques (eg real time PCR, western blots, staining etc.).

This post is available until 31 December 2023.

The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences is part of the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences. The School has the perfect balance of world-class teaching resources and internationally recognised research infrastructure and comprises of three education and three research centres.

The Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM) is one of the research centres in the School.  WWIEM is committed to research excellence in experimental medicine by making scientific breakthroughs in the mechanisms of disease, which we translate to innovative therapeutics to improve patient outcomes. The Centre is an international hub of excellence on eye disease, infectious diseases and respiratory disease with a core emphasis on immunology, molecular cell biology and patient-based investigations.

Queen’s University Belfast is a driver of innovation and talent based on excellence. Throughout the University, our academics collaborate across disciplines and with outside agencies and institutions on projects of world significance. We are connected and networked with strategic partnerships across the world, helping us to expand our impact on wider society locally, nationally and globally. The University is committed to attracting, retaining and developing the best global talent within an environment that enables them to realise their full potential.

We are a leader in gender equality and diversity, and are one of the UK’s most successful universities in the Athena SWAN initiative which promotes gender equality and career progression. The University holds an Athena SWAN silver award and the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences holds an Athena SWAN Gold award in recognition of our commitment and success in addressing gender equality, representation, progression and success for all our staff.

We are ranked 1st in the UK for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (Innovate UK), 9th in the UK for University facilities (Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2018) and 14th in the UK for research quality (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019).

Based in Belfast, a modern capital city, our beautiful campus is surrounded by abundant acres of parkland and is renowned as one of the safest and most affordable cities in the UK. There is an excellent range of local Schools from pre-nursery upwards and we are immensely proud of what our city and our University will offer you.

For full job details and essential/desirable criteria please refer to the candidate information link on our website by clicking apply. You must clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria when you submit your application. For further information or assistance contact Resourcing Team via email on resourcing@qub.ac.uk.

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

The University is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all. However, our employment monitoring data tells us that individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, people with a disability and those who identify as LGBT+ are currently under-represented at the University. Also protestants are currently under-represented in this category of work. As such, we particularly welcome applications from these individuals.

As you may be aware, Queen’s is recognised as one of the most diverse organisations in Northern Ireland. We are committed to ensuring our workplace is a safe, welcoming and inclusive place to work, which is why we subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena SWAN.

It is also why we have established award winning Staff Networks such as PRISM and iRise. These networks provide an opportunity for staff to meet in a friendly, informal way to support each other. More details on all our networks can be found here.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Sophia Kelaini via email to s.kelaini@qub.ac.uk.

Candidate Information
About the School
About the Centre
About the Group Leader 
Further information for international applicants
Note to EEA applicants on Brexit