Research Fellow in Molecular Virology

This role will be based on the university campus. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements. Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in molecular virology? Do you want to further your career in one of the UKs leading research intensive Universities? A research fellow position is available in the laboratory of Professor Mark Harris, funded for 36 months by a Wellcome Discovery Award. We recently made the exciting discovery of a role for the kinase PKR and the transcription factor IRF1 in inducing expression of proteins that block assembly of hepatitis C virus (DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010812), uncovering a hitherto unrecognised aspect of innate antiviral immunity. Subsequent transcriptomic analysis has identified a panel of candidate genes regulated by PKR/IRF1, and we are now poised to investigate their potential role in blocking assembly of infectious virus particles. This position will focus on characterising these novel antiviral effectors, initially using hepatitis C virus as a model system, but also evaluating effects on other pathogenic viruses such as Chikungunya virus and SARS-CoV-2. The position provides an opportunity to conduct ground-breaking research into the host response to virus infection and would suit an individual with experience in working with pathogenic viruses in high containment, with appropriate cell biological and/or biochemical skills pertinent to the study of protein function. The successful applicant will join a large, interdisciplinary laboratory shared between multiple investigators and working on a range of viruses., The University of Leeds and the Faculty of Biological Sciences are committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offer a range of family friendly policies. The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN (the national body that promotes gender equality in higher education), and the Faculty of Biological Sciences was re-awarded a Silver award in 2025. We are proud to be an inclusive Faculty that values all staff, and are happy to consider job share applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from our employees. Our Athena SWAN webpage provides more information. Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa. For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent.

You should have a PhD (or be close to completion) in molecular virology or a closely allied discipline, with experience in propagation and analysis of pathogenic viruses in a Biological Safety Level 3 (BSL3) laboratory.

• 26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) - That's 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance - The University contributes 14.5% of salary.
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.
And much more!