Postdoctoral Research Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Wellcome funded

This full‑time position is available from 1 August 2026 until 31 July 2028. The starting salary will be from £34,610 on Grade E, depending on knowledge, skills and experience.

The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Dr. Sandra Catania and Prof. Elaine Bignell. The successful applicant will contribute to a multidisciplinary research programme investigating how chromatin regulation shapes transcriptional adaptation in Aspergillus fumigatus. The project will focus on understanding how environmental signals, such as pH and host‑associated stresses, drive transcriptional reprogramming and how these responses are coordinated at the level of chromatin.

The post forms part of a new five‑centre research consortium led by Principal Investigators from the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, the Research Center Borstel, the University of Dundee and the Scotland’s Rural College. Through an innovative combination of evolutionary, molecular, chemical and structural biology approaches this project will investigate how pH and salinity exposures select for heightened infectivity, particularly in rapidly evolving Aspergillus species.

The researcher will combine genome‑wide approaches, including ChIP‑seq and RNA‑seq, to define transcription factor binding, chromatin states, and gene expression programmes associated with stress adaptation and virulence. The post‑holder will work as part of the collaborative programme and contribute to the integration of chromatin, transcriptional and functional data to define mechanisms of fungal adaptation.

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information orally, in writing and electronically, and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants must possess a PhD in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry or a related field, and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and research methods to work within established research programmes.

Experience with fungal pathogen culture (category 2 at least) and fungal genetics is required. A strong interest in chromatin biology and gene regulation is essential, with desirable experience in next‑generation sequencing approaches, particularly RNA‑seq and/or ChIP‑seq, and a willingness to engage with the analysis and interpretation of genome‑wide datasets. Experience in adapting and troubleshooting protocols is also required.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, with good organisational skills and the ability to communicate complex experimental data clearly to researchers from different disciplines.

• Support to pursue intellectual interests and work creatively across disciplines.
• Support teams that understand University‑wide teaching goals and partner with academics accordingly.
• Innovation, Impact and Business directorate providing specialist support for external engagement and development.
• Exeter Academic initiative supporting high‑performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career.
• Sector‑leading staff benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity leave and a fertility treatment policy.
• Beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon and Cornwall.

Dr Sandra Catania –