Research Associate in Immunometabolism & Cellular Physiology

• 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.
• As a member of research staff you have 10 development days to use to develop your skills and explore your career prospects
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 43 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.

Supported by BBSRC funding, we are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the group of Dr Rachel Lai at Imperial College London. This 48-month position, available from January 2027, will investigate how metabolic rewiring and cellular ion fluxes govern innate immune responses and inflammation.

Macrophages are essential sentinels of innate immunity, but their dysregulated activation drives severe inflammatory diseases. Macrophage activation requires the convergence of biophysical and biochemical inputs, including acute metabolic shifts, ionic fluxes and oxidative stress. Working within a dynamic, multi-institutional team, you will employ biological and analytical assays and tools to define the physiological checkpoints that determine how macrophages integrate these stress signals and transition from homeostasis to a proinflammatory state.

• You will lead studies investigating how metabolic and ionic shifts govern macrophage activation, taking responsibility for experimental planning and execution, data analysis and manuscript preparation. Working closely with members of the Lai group and collaborators across the multi-institutional team, you will develop and apply experimental approaches to deliver the project's scientific aims.
• You will also supervise and train students, share expertise with colleagues and contribute to the day-to-day running of the laboratory.
• You will present findings at scientific conferences, prepare reports for research funders and contribute to future grant applications.