About the role:
Are you passionate about tackling the growing threat of fungal diseases through cutting-edge approaches to drug discovery? Do you want to work on a high-impact international project at the interface of chemical biology, fungal genetics and antifungal drug discovery?
We invite applications for a Post-doctoral Research Associate to join Grand Challenge 2 Antifungal Drug Discovery and AI – a Fleming Initiative-funded programme aimed at identifying the therapeutic Achilles heel of Aspergillus fumigatus.
The Antifungal Drug Discovery and Artificial Intelligence Grand Challenge brings together leading UK and international partners at Imperial, the University of Manchester and GSK to integrate chemoproteomic, fungal ‘omic and compound screening data to build an integrated landscape of druggability and target prioritisation in Aspergillus fumigatus. This work will directly support an important component of the broader Fleming Initiative Grand Challenges, spanning a broad range of multidisciplinary and translational work streams designed to unblock the current bottlenecks in antimicrobial resistance research.
You will join a transdisciplinary team combining expertise in chemical biology, fungal genetics, fungal biology, high-throughput gene editing, drug discovery and clinical translation. Our partners include institutions across the UK, and Glaxo-Smith-Kline.
What you would be doing:
Proteomic-scale identification of cysteine reactivity in Aspergillus fumigatus
Initial scout fragment library screen
Generation of chemical accumulation data for Aspergillus fumigatus
Chemoproteomic model for compound accumulation in fungi
Machine learning models for predicting gene essentiality in fungi
Development of high-throughput CRISPR-based oligo recombineering in Aspergillus fumigatus
Disseminating research findings through peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, and presentations to both academic and public health audiences.
What we are looking for:
Enthusiastic PhD qualified scientists with strengths and experience in microbiology or related discipline and a demonstrable interest in drug discovery and fungal diseases.
Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £43,863 - £47,223 per annum
Keen to develop as fundamental scientists in a transdisciplinary environment
A PhD (or near completion) in fungal genetics/genomics, chemical biology, bioinformatics, microbiology, or a related discipline.
Strong skills in data integration, statistical modelling, and/or machine learning.
Experience working with multi-omic datasets.
Ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.
Commitment to research that delivers translational impact.
Team players who openly collaborate and enjoy disseminating knowledge locally and though international presentations and leading journal publications
What we can offer you:
A key role in a major Imperial initiative with direct drug discovery impact.
Collaboration with leading global experts in chemistry, fungal biology and drug discovery.
Opportunities for industrial engagement with GSK.
Competitive salary, sector-leading benefits, and career development support.
The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity
Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and a cycle-to-work scheme
To be part of a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources designed to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
Further Information
Full-time, fixed-term contract for 2 years in the first instance
Expected start date: May 2026
To discuss please contact Darius Armstrong-James (d.armstrong@imperial.ac.uk). See the job descriptions for more specifics.