Research Associate MRC CoRE in Exposome Immunology (Exposome-driven changes to the Extracelluar Matr in Manchester

Applications are invited for six Post-Doctoral Research Associate positions based in the new Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) in Exposome Immunology, hosted jointly by the universities of Manchester and Oxford.

The CoRE will leverage cutting edge computational approaches, novel experimental models, and experimental medicine studies to uncover how pollutants and infections interact with our genes to cause and exacerbate chronic inflammatory diseases.

The successful PDRAs will form the foundation of our centre, working on six complementary projects that form our initial research portfolio. As such, the research will be highly collaborative in nature, with the post-holders often working across research groups to follow new leads and generate preliminary data that can underpin subsequent grant applications and high impact publications.

Project Title: Exposome-driven changes to the Extracelluar Matrix (ECM)

The aim of this project will be to assess the changes to the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) in COPD and asthma patients and identify associations between exposome challenge and disease outcome. The feasibility of using biologic treatment data to further reveal mechanisms will be explored.

The study will build on current evidence that the glycosoaminoglycan hyaluronan is a key ECM component that regulates pulmonary responses to environmental challenges.

The postdoc on this project will be tasked with identifying the appropriate samples from available patient cohorts. Taking advantage of matrix analysis tools through Manchester\'s Cell-Matrix Centre, samples (nasal washings, biopsies, blood) will be assessed not only for Hyaluronan and its related components, but other glycosaminoglycans and fibrillar proteins. Key immunological data will also be collected.

Assessment of ECM and immune changes will be performed on samples from individuals in which we have data on pollution exposure, smoking status, viral infection status, and respiratory disease status. The findings from these studies will feed into a research pipeline leading to a mechanistic understanding of the causal links between exposure and disease.

A key feature of this project will be to engage closely with the Respiratory Medicine clinicians at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, and Nuffield Hospital Oxford as well as the MRC Centre\'s computational teams.

The postdoc will be based within the Allen Laboratory that uses pre-clinical models to understand how the ECM (particularly hyaluronan) regulates pulmonary health and disease. Together by communicating across these teams, the postdoc will help build testable hypotheses.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working - you can find out more here. Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

For enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews, please contact Judi Allen at judi.allen@manchester.ac.uk. For general enquiries, please email People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Technical support can be found at https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home.

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date. Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.