Senior Research Associate – 0824-25
Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK
Salary: £39,906 to £48,882 (Full time, indefinite with end date)
Closing Date: Sunday 23 November 2025
Interview Date: Tuesday 09 December 2025
Reference: 0824-25
Duration: Fixed term 36 months
Job Overview
We are looking for a highly motivated and creative individual to join us as a post‑doctoral researcher within the groups of Dr Leonie Unterholzner and Dr Amy Saunders in the Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences at Lancaster University, to investigate the effect of laser‑induced heat stress on skin inflammation and epithelial cell damage.
This is a collaborative project aiming to decipher biological mechanisms underlying immunological and damage responses to near infra‑red lasers which are being developed for diagnostic use in musculoskeletal conditions. You will be part of the Unterholzner and Saunders labs at Lancaster University. We have interests in understanding skin inflammation at the molecular, cellular and tissue level with a particular focus on innate sensing of pathogens and cell damage (Dunphy et al., Mol Cell 2018; Gamble et al. BioRxiv, 2025) and the regulation of inflammatory skin diseases (Linley et al. Mucosal Immunology, 2023; Priestley et al. BioRxiV, 2024).
Responsibilities
* You will work as part of a multi‑disciplinary collaborative team working closely with biologists, engineers and clinicians across multiple institutions in an EPSRC‑funded project (SORS in the Community).
* You will use primary human epithelial skin cells, human skin tissue explants and murine models to investigate how laser‑induced heat stress affects cell proliferation and induces the production of cytokines and damage responses.
* You will apply expertise in mammalian cell culture and this role offers training in ELISA, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, QPCR or in vivo models of disease.
* You will communicate findings, collaborate effectively, and solve problems creatively.
Qualifications
* PhD in a relevant field such as immunology or cell biology, or be close to completion.
* Background knowledge of immunology and an interest in skin inflammation.
* Excellent communication skills, capacity to work collaboratively, and ability to solve problems creatively.
* Experience in ELISA, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, QPCR or in vivo models of disease is desirable.
Diversity & Inclusion
We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups and are happy to consider flexible working requests. The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education whilst promoting the importance and wellbeing for all our colleagues. We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.
Contact
Informal enquiries are welcome. Please contact Dr Leonie Unterholzner: l.unterholzner@lancaster.ac.uk.
#J-18808-Ljbffr