Research Associate in Autoantibody Discovery

Research Associate in Autoantibody Discovery

Join to apply for the Research Associate in Autoantibody Discovery role at University of Bath

The post holder will join the Serology Research Group to undertake specific projects related to developing and optimising immunoprecipitation directly coupled to mass spectrometry to identify autoantibodies in sera from patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The projects have been funded by research grants from charities SRUK and BIRD.

• Deciphering Seronegative Systemic Sclerosis:
  This project aims to identify autoantibodies in patients with the Rheumatic Disease Systemic sclerosis who have previously been found to be autoantibody negative utilising immunoprecipitation directly coupled to mass spectrometry.
• Does Immunoprecipitation coupled with high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry provide equivalent autoantibody diagnostic capabilities to conventional radioimmunoprecipitation? This project aims to determine if immunoprecipitation directly coupled to mass spectrometry can identify known myositis and systemic sclerosis autoantibodies as effectively as protein radioimmunoprecipitation.

The Serology group has internationally recognised expertise in identifying autoantibodies in rheumatic disease, particularly myositis. This is an interdisciplinary project and you will work closely with health professionals and clinical scientists. The research group hosts PhD students and clinical fellows; the role will include provision of laboratory supervision and training, in addition to general laboratory management.

The ideal candidate will have detailed knowledge and previous experience of performing the laboratory techniques involved, namely radioimmunoprecipitation, immunoprecipitation and sample preparation for mass spectrometry analysis, including experience with mass spectrometry data analysis. They will have experience presenting research findings at conferences and in paper publications. You will hold a PhD in the relevant discipline.

For an informal discussion relating to this vacancy, please contact Sarah Tansley () or Neil McHugh (). Interviews will be carried out on either the 14th or 15th January 2026; the exact date will be finalised upon shortlisting.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade
6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.

• Free counseling services through Health Assured
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days
• Wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including apprenticeships, Linked In Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• Family-friendly workplace
• Excellent reward package recognising the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and interest‑free loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work, as well as following us on X and Linked In.

Right to Work in the UK: We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.

Anonymous shortlisting: We are constantly seeking to reduce unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.