Advert

Please note that this job is open only to current members of staff of Cardiff University who are eligible for redeployment.

Internal Redeployment Only - Research Associate
Division of Cancer and Genetics
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

The School of Medicine in Cardiff University seeks to appoint a Research Associate within a newly established Translational Virology Unit that sits across the Division of Infection and Immunity, Division of Cancer and Genetics, and the Clinical Trials Unit, based at the Heath Park Site, Cardiff. This post will support research programs within the unit by acting as a core technology facility. The recruited individual will focus on developing advanced, patient derived ex vivo models of disease and infection including organoids and 3-D spheroids, as well as isolation of immune cells from blood, and the establishment of immune cell: organoids co-culture models.

Candidates should have practical experience of generating and working with organoid based models and, ideally, the isolation and of immune cells from blood samples and will be expected to carry out research relating to the generation and establishment of these technologies, to support research programs and researchers to use and exploit them scientifically. The successful individual will have evidence of working independently and as part of a team, and of successfully carrying out a research program to completion.

Applicants should have a postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, clinical medicine at Cardiff had 92% of its research activity ranked as being world-leading or internationally excellent.

The post holder will engage with external academic, professional and Industrial partners to enhance the School's reach and reputation, and will enhance the School's creative and inclusive community, which is recognised for its impact on policy, practice and public life.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

For informal enquiries, please contact:
Professor Alan Parker (Virology/Oncolytics) - ParkerAL@cardiff.ac.uk
Professor Richard Stanton (Virology/Immunology) - StantonRJ@cardiff.ac.uk
Dr David Gillespie (Infection Trials) - GillespieD1@cardiff.ac.uk

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) fixed term until 31 March 2030 and available from 17 February 2026.

Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Closing date: Friday, 5 December 2025

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

Job Purpose

To conduct research within virology, immunology and advanced models of disease, and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of work in high-quality journals. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research
• To conduct research within the broad remit of a recently awarded virology unit, encompassing immunology, basic and applied virology, and advanced models of disease. To contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

Other
• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School's profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Additional Information

How we will support you in performing in this role -

There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see 'Essential Criteria'), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience. We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:

1. Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2. An experienced and supportive team around you
3. Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4. A mentoring scheme

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

It is School of Medicine's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.

Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 21170BR.

If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
i. The development and application of advanced ex vivo models of disease, particularly the development of organoid based models, and/or similarly advanced models e.g. 3-dimensional multicellular iPSC derived cultures

3. Knowledge of current status of research in the area of virology, vaccinology and immunology

4. Proven ability to publish in national/international journals, at national/international conferences and/or other research outputs

5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies

Communication and Team Working
6. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication

7. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Other
8. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work

9. Proven ability to work without close supervision

Desirable Criteria

10. Relevant professional qualification(s)

11. Experience of isolating and phenotyping immune cells from blood

12. Evidence of collaborations with industry

13. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community

14. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School

Cardiff University is a public research university located in Cardiff, Wales providing undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes across a broad subject range.