At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct groundbreaking research on antiviral therapies and collaborate with international teams.
- Company: Join the University of Sheffield, a world-class institution dedicated to innovation and diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 41+ days of annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse community that values your unique contributions and perspectives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in virology and immunology while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: PhD in virology or immunology, with experience in viral culture and cell biology.
The predicted salary is between 38784 - 47389 £ per year.
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university. We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement, a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.
We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Research Associate to join a multi-disciplinary research team at the University of Sheffield. This position is part of a high-impact, international collaboration aimed at developing a pan-viral prophylactic therapy against respiratory viral infections. This job is part of an Advanced Research + Invention Agency-funded project. Traditional vaccines often struggle to keep pace with evolving viral variants. This project takes a novel approach by focusing on priming broader antiviral immunity. We aim to understand and program innate immunity within the nasal epithelium to develop a more durable and broad-spectrum intervention against infection and transmission.
As the successful candidate, you will be responsible for generating cellular models of the human upper respiratory tract, conducting viral infection studies and performing cellular characterisation using single-cell multiomic assays. Once identified, target cell states will be engineered using cutting edge methods, followed by evaluation of anti-viral efficacy. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of cell biology, virology, immunology and advanced single cell genomics. You will work within a supportive, world-class research environment, collaborating closely with partners in the USA and the Netherlands to translate fundamental biological insights into potential new therapeutics.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Design and conduct laboratory experiments to achieve the project's aims, including establishing Air-Liquid Interface respiratory cultures using primary human nasal epithelial cells; controlled viral infection studies with Influenza virus, RSV, Rhinovirus and SARS-CoV-2; and single-cell multiomic assays (scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq).
- Work collaboratively with local and international team members to ensure alignment of experimental workflows and the timely achievement of technical milestones, including travelling to laboratories in the USA and The Netherlands.
- Prepare high-quality data for technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
- Proactively keep up to date with emerging trends in mucosal immunology, virology, and single-cell technologies.
- Assist in the day-to-day running of the laboratory, including supporting compliance with Health & Safety regulations, COSHH, Risk Assessments and Standard Operating Procedures.
- Carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
- Hold a PhD (or equivalent) in virology, immunology or equivalent field. (Essential)
- Extensive experience of viral culture and quantification (Essential)
- Extensive experience of cell culture (Essential)
- Ability to work independently in a laboratory environment, and to complete tasks independently and to a high standard. (Essential)
- Demonstrate ability and experience in the design and interpretation of laboratory experiments. (Essential)
- Ability to adhere to research protocols, maintain study deadlines and keep meticulous records of experiments undertaken. (Essential)
- Excellent academic track record including evidence of publications, prizes, and/or presentations at national/international conferences. (Essential)
- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, experience of delivering presentations. (Essential)
- Track record of supervising PhD, MSc, or undergraduate students. (Essential)
- Ability to work constructively and effectively within multidisciplinary teams. (Essential)
- Experience of single cell sequencing assays. (Desirable)
- Experience of flow cytometry. (Desirable)
- Evidence of analysing next generation sequencing data. (Desirable)
Further Information
Grade: Grade 7
Salary: £38,784 - £47,389
Work arrangement: Full-time
Duration: 01 August 2026 for 48 months
Line manager: Principal Investigator
For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Hannah Brown and Dr Nikki Smith, Project Managers on cirg-pm@sheffield.ac.uk.
Closing Date: 19/06/2026
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. Our University Vision outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
Research Associate - Engineered Antiviral Resilience in Sheffield employer: The University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that values diversity and fosters collaboration. With a commitment to employee development, generous benefits including extensive annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive environment for personal growth, this role as a Research Associate provides a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance in a world-class academic setting.
Contact Details:
The University of Sheffield Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate - Engineered Antiviral Resilience in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Sheffield on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process. Personal connections can give you insights that make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the research being done at Sheffield. Familiarise yourself with recent publications and projects related to antiviral resilience. This shows your genuine interest and helps you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! Since the selection process includes a presentation, rehearse your delivery. Make sure you can clearly explain your past research and how it relates to the role. Confidence is key, so get comfortable with your material.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the amazing benefits we offer at Sheffield.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate - Engineered Antiviral Resilience in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your qualifications; give us examples of your past work, especially in virology and immunology. We want to see how you've tackled similar challenges and what results you achieved.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant, and make sure your application is easy to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at the University of Sheffield.
How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Sheffield
✨Know Your Science
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in virology and immunology. Familiarise yourself with recent studies related to respiratory viral infections and single-cell technologies. This will not only help you answer technical questions but also show your genuine interest in the field.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since this role involves working with international teams, be ready to discuss your experience in collaborative projects. Think of examples where you've successfully worked with others, especially in a lab setting, and how you handled any challenges that arose.
✨Showcase Your Experimental Design Skills
Be prepared to talk about your previous laboratory experiments. Highlight your ability to design and interpret experiments, and don’t forget to mention any specific techniques you’ve used, like scRNA-seq or viral culture. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and expertise.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key, especially when preparing reports or presentations. Practice explaining complex scientific concepts in simple terms. This will help you convey your ideas clearly during the interview and show that you can communicate well with both technical and non-technical audiences.
