Research Associate in Immune Cell Biology, Immunology and Microscopy

£49,017 - £57,472 per annum

Fixed term

Location: South Kensington Campus

About the role :

We are seeking to recruit a Research Associate to study immune cell biology using state-of-the-art microscopy and other techniques, funded by the Medical Research Council.

The project will be based in Prof. Dan Davis’s lab in Imperial College London, South Kensington, to study fundamental aspects of molecular recognition by human Natural Killer cells using molecular and cell biology methods alongside super-resolution fluorescence microscopy.

Advances in technology are helping us understand the immune system as never before, and to develop medicines which boost the system to fight cancer better, to dampen it to combat the symptoms of auto-immune disease, and to help develop better vaccines. Activating and inhibitory receptors on the surface of immune cells are critical determinants of immune activity. The level of each receptor and its ligand, and how well they bind, are primary determinants of disease outcomes. However, advances in microscopy are now revealing a host of other factors which control immune responses. This includes protrusions from immune cells which contact other cells, a complex nanoscale organisation of activating and inhibitory receptors, clusters of proteins secreted by immune cells to kill diseased cells, and novel mechanisms by which immune cells can detach from one target cell to attack again. Understanding immunity on a nanoscale is a major new frontier and will lead to completely new ideas for medicine.

Primarily, this project will focus on recognition of diseased cells, including cancer, by human Natural Killer cells, and a substantial amount of preliminary data is in hand to seed this project and ensure success. The precise direction of the work will be open to discussion with the successful applicant.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-equipped multidisciplinary team of around 10 other researchers, including postdocs and PhD students, collectively studying immune cell biology in health and disease, on a nanoscale. You should have a PhD or equivalent level of professional qualification and experience. Some experience in immune cell biology or advanced microscopy or imaging analysis, will be essential. But plenty of expertise and advice will be on hand to help with skills you don’t currently have.

What you would be doing :

You will be required to help produce independent and original research as part of a team of postdocs, students and technicians. The project will involve using microscopy to image signal transduction and integration from activating and inhibitory receptors on human immune cells. This will be compared in settings of health and disease. The post involves a high degree of teamwork and interdisciplinary research as well as daily interactions with other members of the lab and other allied scientists within Imperial College and elsewhere as appropriate.

What we are looking for :

You must have a PhD (or about to hold a PhD) in biology, cell biology, immunology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field. Experience with human immune cell biology or high-level microscopy is strongly desired. You must have excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as basic knowledge of immunology, cell biology or microscopy. You must also be able to develop and apply new concepts, work with minimal supervision and have a creative approach to problem-solving. The ideal candidate will have the passion and drive to tackle and overcome scientific problems.

What we can offer you :

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing .

Further Information

This is a full-time, fixed term position available until 31 December 2027, via a program grant funded by the Medical Research Council (UK).

Please note that any candidate who has not been yet awarded their PhD, will be appointed as a Research Assistant.

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Daniel Davis ( [email protected] ).

Closing date: 13 October 2025