Salary: Research Assistant: £32,546 - £34,132 per annum
Research Associate: £35,116 - £45,413 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: 18 August 2025
The Role
Are you interested in skin biology and excited by the challenge of working at the interface of inflammation, microbiome research, and translational medicine?
We are seeking a talented and motivated Research Assistant/Associate to join the Translational and Clinical Research Institute in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, contributing to research projects focused on inflammatory skin diseases and/or the skin microbiome. This role is embedded within the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Skin and Oral Theme, which brings together researchers across three areas:
• Skin and oral disease and long-term morbidity
• Human Cell Atlas to clinic: single-cell multi-omics across the lifecourse
• Precision medicine and clinical translation
The post will be located within the Translational and Clinical Research Institute at the Faculty of Medical Sciences and interact with researchers in the three themes of the BRC skin/oral theme. Namely: a) skin and oral disease and long-term morbidity, b) Human Cell Atlas to clinic: single cell multi-omics to map lifecourse and c) precision medicine and clinical translation.
You will work under the supervision of Professor John Common in a multi-PI, multi-disciplinary open laboratory space and environment to establish research projects in inflammatory skin diseases and/or skin microbiome in health and disease. You will also aim to build an independent research portfolio in cutaneous biology with close collaboration and discussion with dermatology principal investigators, based on your research interest. With appropriate support, you will develop a fundamental or translational dermatology project based around topics of interest to the laboratory.
This post is full time, fixed term for a period of 3 years.
To apply please upload a letter of application and CV, outlining how you meet the essential criteria.
For informal enquiries contact: Professor John Common, [email protected]
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/
Please note that if you are successful to this role, you will require a DBS, Research Passport and medical clearance before you can commence in the role.
Key Accountabilities
- Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, you will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value'
- Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
- Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
- Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
- Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
- Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
- Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and 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
- May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants
- Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute
- May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
- Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
- Detailed subject knowledge in the area of skin biology (for example, inflammatory skin diseases, skin cancer and/or skin microbiome research)
- Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects
- Proficiency in molecular biology, cell culture and CRISPR editing
- High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
- Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
- Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment
- Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications
- Evidence of research output (e.g., presentations or publications)
- Interest in translational or commercial application of research
Desirable
- Experience with spatial biology or immunohistochemistry
- Experience with RNAseq or microbiome data analysis
- Basic knowledge of R programming, bioinformatics or machine learning
Attributes and Behaviour
- Independent and team-based working ability
- Enthusiasm for research and self-development
- Commitment to developing an independent research portfolio
- Advocate for health and safety in research settings (Desirable)
Qualifications
- A PhD in relevant area (required for appointment at Associate level)
- Honors degree in relevant subject or close to submission of PhD (for appointment at Assistant level)
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 silver 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: 28343
