Research Associate - Engineered Antiviral Resilience

Overview

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. The project focuses on priming broader antiviral immunity by understanding and programming innate immunity within the nasal epithelium to develop a durable, broad‑spectrum intervention against infection and transmission.

• 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).
• Collaborate with local and international team members to align experimental workflows and meet technical milestones, including travelling to laboratories in the USA and the Netherlands.
• Prepare high‑quality data for technical reports, presentations, and peer‑reviewed publications.
• Stay updated on emerging trends in mucosal immunology, virology, and single‑cell technologies.
• Support day‑to‑day laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with Health & Safety regulations, COSHH, risk assessments and SOPs.
• Carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

• Hold a PhD (or equivalent) in virology, immunology or an equivalent field.
• Extensive experience of viral culture and quantification.
• Extensive experience of cell culture.
• Ability to work independently in a laboratory environment and complete tasks to a high standard.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in the design and interpretation of laboratory experiments.
• Ability to adhere to research protocols, maintain study deadlines and keep meticulous records of experiments undertaken.
• Excellent academic track record including evidence of publications, prizes, and/or presentations at national/international conferences.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, and experience of delivering presentations.
• Track record of supervising PhD, MSc, or undergraduate students.
• Ability to work constructively and effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Desirable: experience of single‑cell sequencing assays, experience of flow cytometry, evidence of analysing next‑generation sequencing data.

£38,784 - £47,389 per annum. Full‑time, Grade
7. Duration: 01 August 2026 for 48 months.

19 June 2026