Research Fellow in Membrane Sensors (110500-0526)
This is a re-advertisement. Previous candidates for this role need not apply.
Location: University of Warwick Campus, Coventry
Department: Warwick Medical School – Biomedical Sciences
You will join the laboratory of Professor Satyajit Mayor in the Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences Directorate at Warwick Medical School to define and develop sensors for local membrane properties ranging from the biophysical to the mechanical. The Mayor laboratory is one of the leading laboratories, working on understanding basic cellular mechanisms that govern chemical, biophysical and mechanical properties of the cell membrane. This project is in collaboration with Robert Ernst (Membrane Cell Biology and Biophysics, University of Saarland) and the Molecular Tools and Imaging (MTI) at the HHMI Janelia Research Institute. Mayor and Ernst study the crosstalk of proteins and lipids in health and disease, using interdisciplinary approaches at the crossroads of cell biology, biochemistry, synthetic biology, imaging and biophysics.
About You
You will have an honours degree or equivalent and a PhD in cell biology, biophysics or allied disciplines. You will have experience in molecular cell biology and an interest in studying membrane biophysics, along with a strong scientific interest and motivation. You should have evidence of published work on the design of molecular sensors for monitoring properties in a cell or single‑molecule biophysics in living cells.
PhD Status
If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).
Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).
About the Department
We offer an outstanding interdisciplinary environment for discovery science in one of the best universities in the UK. The Centre of Mechanochemical Cell Biology at the University of Warwick seeks to understand the principles of cellular self‑organisation with a focus on the role of mechanics in processes that enable cell duplication, movement, repair and membrane organisation. The centre is home to 19 principal investigators with backgrounds in cell biology, computer science and physics. It is housed in the Mechanochemical Cell Biology building with state‑of‑the‑art imaging facilities.
The post holder will also join Warwick Biomedical Sciences (BMS). Areas of research excellence in BMS focus on quantitative molecular, cell and developmental biology, host‑pathogen interactions and human reproduction. Collaborations with the Ernst group at Saarland University will provide an interdisciplinary training in studying membrane biophysics and biochemistry while MTI at HHMI‑JRI is world renowned in developing molecular tools for imaging cellular properties.
About the University
We are a world‑leading research‑intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world‑leading or internationally excellent.**
Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.
* World University Ranking 2026, Complete University Guide 2026
** Research Excellence Framework 2021
Closing Deadline
Sunday 24th May 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)
Application Process
Applicants must submit an application through the Warwick Careers Portal by the closing deadline. The application should include a CV and cover letter. Applicants should outline employment and education history, reasons for interest in the position and demonstrate how they meet the role requirements with reference to essential and desirable criteria.
What we Offer
* An attractive pension scheme.
* 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
* Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
* Onsite childcare facilities.
* Excellent learning and development opportunities.
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements.
We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.
Equal Opportunity
Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures and communities, and actively encourage candidates from under‑represented groups to apply.
The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.
* Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
* The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
* All employees, volunteers and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.
Rehabilitation of Ex‑Offenders: The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction. Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the short‑listing process.
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.
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