(Senior) Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Job Title (Senior) Postdoctoral Research Scientist Post Number Closing Date 20 Sep 2026 Grade SC6 Starting Salary Salary: £39,000-£58,000
Hours per week 37 Project Title Discovering heterogeneous platelet responses to activation upon dietary intervention' Months Duration 9
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
The (Senior) Postdoctoral Research Scientist will join the Wojtowicz lab who investigate the effect of diet on the function of the immune and hematopoietic system. They will study how diet and infection modulate the activity of single immune cells including platelets. The project builds on our recent work where we have observed significant changes in the hematopoietic and immune system function upon acute inflammation in animals undergoing dietary intervention. In this project, the successful candidate will utilise cell lines, primary animal samples, microfluidics platforms and state of the art flow cytometry, to address fundamental questions in platelet biology, heterogeneity and response to activation. This position will also involve the technical development of microfluidic single cell encapsulation methods and consecutive analysis by flow cytometry. This candidate will work closely with the Macaulay group on implementation of the microfluidics and will obtain training from the FACS facility manager to use available FACS analyzer. They will have access to the analysis software and can obtain support from other group members for the data analysis. This position is available at an SC6 level but candidates with sufficient experience in the highlighted areas could be appointed as a Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist at level SC5.
Key Relationships
Internal: Line manager, group members and, as necessary, other researchers, research support staff and students across the Institute.External: Industry partners and collaborators across the Norwich Research Park, Nationally and Internationally
Main Activities & Responsibilities
Percentage Establishing microfluidics protocol for cell/platelet encapsulation 50 FACS analysis of encapsulated cells/platelets 15 Implementation of platelet isolation and activation assays 15 Data analysis and interpretation of generated data 10 As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post 10 Depending on experience and qualifications, the successful candidate could participate in supervision of students, leading projects and collaborations, and leading on the preparation of data/information for grant proposals essential for SC5 role
Person Profile
Education & Qualifications
Requirement Importance PhD in cell or molecular biology or equivalent Essential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
Requirement Importance Ability to troubleshoot protocols Essential Ability to critically review literature Essential Knowledge of flow cytometry or microfluidics Essential Familiarity with the analysis software for flow data Desirable A strong track record of independent or semi-independent research in molecular biology essential for SC5 role Desirable
Requirement Importance Experience in writing reports and communicating results to a wider community Essential Experience of planning experiments and discussing results Essential Ability to support the lab operation and development through stock taking, ordering, writing and updating SOPs Essential Experience in animal work Desirable Experience in flow cytometry Desirable Leading projects and collaborations essential for SC5 role Desirable Preparing data / information for grant proposals essential for SC5 role Desirable
Management and Leadership
Requirement Importance Experience overseeing day-to-day management of the lab essential for SC5 role Desirable Previous experience of supervising students essential for SC5 role Desirable
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Requirement Importance Clear presentation of ideas-oral and written Essential Excellent written and verbal communication skills Essential Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of the team Essential Demonstrated ability to work independently, showcasing initiative and applying problem solving skills Essential Excellent time management and organisational skills Essential Ability to support the lab operation and development through stock taking, ordering, writing and updating SOPs, mentoring other group members essential for SC5 role Desirable
Additional Requirements
Requirement Importance Attention to detail Essential Promotes equality and values diversity Essential Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute Essential Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate Essential Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work Essential Ability to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars Desirable
Who We Are
About the Earlham InstituteThe Earlham Institute harnesses the power of data-driven biology to accelerate solutions for health, biodiversity, and food security. Based at Norwich Research Park, the Earlham Institute is one of eight institutes strategically funded by BBSRC.
Our science combines world-class technology, interdisciplinary expertise, and training and development across genomics, engineering biology and data science, to decode the scale and complexity of living systems.
We believe we can achieve more if we work together. That's why we collaborate with the global science community and industry partners, while also inspiring the next generation of scientists and technical specialists.
Our ScienceEarlham Institute scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make biological predictions.
We are home to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, creating a unique combination of expertise and infrastructure.
We have dedicated laboratories for genome sequencing, single-cell analysis, engineering biology, and large-scale automation; as well as one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe.
Our Advanced Training team also provides access to specialised scientific training to upskill the next generation of research and technical staff.
Our CultureOur collegiate and innovative research environment comes with significant support, including a commitment to your professional development, research and administrative assistance, and opportunities to build collaborations with scientists and industry on the Norwich Research Park, across the UK, and internationally.
The Institute is also home to talented technical and operational staff, whose invaluable contributions enable our science to have the maximum impact. We aim to recognise, reward, and develop all staff and students so that every individual feels able to achieve their best with us.
We work hard to nurture an engaged and positive workplace, centred on core values that include openness, technical excellence, and collaboration. We attract staff from around the world who contribute to - and benefit from - an environment that enables them to deliver world-class science alongside a supportive and social community.
The Wojtowicz lab studies the functional and molecular links between diet, and the host immune response and the hematopoietic system. We have a particular focus on platelets and megakaryocytes biogenesis and function. We apply flow cytometry, lineage tracing, and genomics to study these subjects. We are also actively developing new isolation methods for high throughput and size unbiased cell capture of megakaryocytes and platelets for functional and molecular analysis.
The laboratory benefits from a unique access to single cell genomics platforms, long and short read sequencing platforms, high end flow cytometers, synthetic biology facilities (Biofoundry), and close collaboration with bioinformatic groups at the Institute. The Wojtowicz group benefits from active collaborations across the Norwich Research Park. These include the Macaulay group (alternative splicing using short and long read sequencing data), Rushworth group (access to human samples, imaging and metabolomic analysis, and mitochondria biology), Beraza group (host response to infection, gut-liver function and microbiome analysis), and Haerty group (computational analysis of short and long read single cell multiomics data). The group has active national (West group, University of Southampton- development of bespoke microfluidics devices) and international collaborations (Lechman group, University of Toronto & University of Pittsburgh- robust CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing of primary human stem cells). The group also profits from well-established links with industry partners (Pacific Biosciences and Oxford Nanopore) as a part of the Cellular Genomics Institute Strategic Program funded by the BBSRC. The Earlham Institute has a proven track record of rapid implementation of new genomic and single cell technologies.
(Senior) Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Applications are invited for a (Senior) Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Wojtowicz in the Research Faculty of the Earlham Institute, based in Norwich, UK.
Background:
The Wojtowicz lab studies the functional and molecular links between diet, and the host immune response and the hematopoietic system . click apply for full job details
