Postdoctoral Research Associate
Requirements
Candidates must hold a PhD in a related biomedical field such as toxicology, physiology, or air pollution research. Experience with specific laboratory techniques like particle characterisation and in vivo models is required, along with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Job Description
Grade UE07: £41,064 - £48,822 per annum
School of Neurological and Cardiovascular Sciences/Centre for Cardiovascular Science
Full Time: 35 hours per week
Fixed term: 18 months
The Opportunity:
Where discovery never stops. Be part of something bigger.
We offer careers and roles in just about every area you can think of. Whether you’re looking to take the next step in your current specialism, explore a new challenge, or broaden your experience, we offer opportunities where you can flourish and make a real difference. Our people come from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing their abilities and experiences to our organisation, helping us thrive and innovate together.
The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where academics can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area. We offer the full range of academic roles and have a genuine focus on our students performance and wellbeing.
People have always been at the heart of our work. Our people are at the centre of the University community and everything we do. We value colleagues with drive, determination and a passion for what they do. We are a place where everyone is welcome and offer a range of policies and benefits designed to support you in building the right meaningful flexibility that works for you
We are currently looking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to perform scientific research to investigate the characteristics of indoor air pollution and its potential to affect health. The project forms part of a wider multi-disciplinary UKRI Hub of research organisations in the UK called "INHABIT", which looks at how building net-zero measures may affect indoor air quality.
This project will be predominantly lab based, using oxidative potential assays to assess the reactivity of air pollution particles and in vivo models to assess the potential toxicological effects of these particles.
The role holder will contribute to the development of new ideas, approaches, concepts or techniques, as well as take an active role in the direction of the research project and dissemination of research outputs
A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:
- Opportunities to develop new skills and broaden your experience
- Leading-edge research
- Contributing to the work and purpose of the University.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and fully on-campus at the Edinburgh BioQuarter (next to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh). The post is a fixed term appointment for 18 months with the possibility of extension depending on funding.
Your skills and attributes for success:
- A PhD, or equivalent, in a related biomedical background, e.g. air pollution or particle research, toxicology, physiology.
- Experience of some of the laboratory techniques involved in the research, e.g. particle characterisation, acellular assays of oxidative potential, in vivo rodent models, assays to measure signalling pathways, (e.g ELISAs for inflammatory cytokines, fluorescence assays, flow cytometry), organ bath preparations, histology.
- Experience of recruitment of volunteers or public interaction for research studies, would be advantageous
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, contributing to both the practical work but also assisting with the project management, e.g. organising provision or purchase of research consumables, liaising with collaborating labs.
- Enthusiasm to develop the research area and programme through manuscript writing and supporting grant applications.
Click to view a copy of the full job description.
Application Information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
- CV
- Cover letter
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
- A competitive salary
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 4 November 2026.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59 pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interview dates to be confirmed.
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
School of Neurological and Cardiovascular Sciences
Our institute fosters collaborative neuroscience, cardiovascular, metabolic and psychiatric research to tackle some of the world's most significant health challenges.
Our research explores health and disease across the body and life course – from tiny changes in cells to the lived experience of patients. Together, we work to advance the understanding, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of major health conditions including heart disease, stroke, metabolic dysfunction, mental illness, dementia and neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Empowered by genetics, advanced imaging, artificial intelligence and clinical trials, our research seamlessly connects discovery science with clinical care.
Our work is internationally acclaimed, achieving 4* and world-leading classifications for the majority of our research, health and wealth impacts and research papers in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 assessment, the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
As part of driving progress in our core research areas, we host internationally leading research centres and state-of-the-art technologies:
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence
- Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention | CPSP
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research
- Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility
- Edinburgh Imaging
- Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory
- Medical Research Council/British Hearth Foundation Centre of Research Excellence in Advanced Cardiac Therapies
- MS Society Edinburgh Centre for MS Research | MS Society
- Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre
- Patrick Wild Centre
- Row Fogo Centre for Research into Ageing and the Brain
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB)
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Edinburgh
- UKRI Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry
We offer a wide range of postgraduate training opportunities. Students learn from world-class researchers, access outstanding facilities and get support to develop. Our graduates go on to successful careers in academia, research, healthcare and industry worldwide. Our colleagues are also leading contributors to undergraduate programmes.