Job Description

Salary

35,608 - 39,906 per annum

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full-Time

Job category/type

Fixed Term - Full-Time

Job reference

REC00004136

Senior Research Associate

The University of Portsmouth is a global employer of choice where exceptional people create, share and apply knowledge that makes a difference.

Experience the pride of being part of a select group - one of only four universities in the south-east of England to achieve a prestigious Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework. Additionally, we proudly rank among the top 140 universities globally in the Times Higher Young University World Rankings.

Ambition, Responsibility and Openness drive our every endeavour. Join our esteemed institution with a proven track record of success, and where dedication to excellence is key. We want people to make their mark in a professional community that truly values people, innovation, and achievement.

The Role:

The School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences is seeking to appoint a Senior Research Associate, for a fixed term of 12 months (with an additional 12 month's funding awarded subject to a satisfactory report from the Principal Investigator)

The Project

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating, incurable condition that affects both muscle and brain, beginning early in development. This project seeks to uncover how these early developmental changes lead to disease. This knowledge could pave the way for treatments preventing lifelong damage.

To achieve this, we have developed innovative Xenopus (frog) models of DMD. Because frog development occurs externally and mirrors key aspects of human biology, it provides a powerful system for studying how the loss of dystrophin alters muscle and nerve cell function. Using cutting-edge imaging and behavioural techniques, we will explore the earliest steps of disease progression.

The Senior Research Associate will work closely with the project lead and research team, contributing to experiment design, data collection, and analysis. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop advanced research skills while making a real contribution to understanding, and ultimately combating, DMD.

This position is working on-site only, so we are unable to support hybrid working for this appointment.

The interviews are currently anticipated to be held on 02 December 2025

This appointment is a fixed-term contract for 12 months (with an additional 12 month's funding awarded subject to a satisfactory report from the Principal Investigator)

For internal candidates it may be possible to apply for this role under the Secondment Policy . If you wish to apply as a secondee, you must have approval of your line manager in advance of submitting your application form. Please confirm in your application that your line manager has approved this.

If you have any queries regarding this position, please contact Professor Darek Gorecki, Principal Investigator at darek.gorecki@port.ac.uk

Discover the advantages of joining our university. We offer a range of attractive benefits and opportunities to enhance your work experience:

Competitive salary, including incremental progression within your scale. Generous pension scheme. Generous leave entitlement of 32-35 days a year, plus bank holidays, and an additional Christmas closure. Family-friendly policies supporting flexible working. Staff discounts and loyalty schemes. Staff car parking and discounted public travel. Excellent training and development opportunities. Staff wellbeing programmes. Recreation facilities, including discounted gym membership, food on campus schemes, use of the Library and staff social activities. Discounted learning. Start-up business mentoring from expert entrepreneurs via our Entrepreneurs in Residence programme. The perks don't stop there - click 'apply' for further information on My Reward and Benefits

UKVI Statement

Prior to submitting your application, kindly ensure that you can either demonstrate or acquire the necessary right to work in the UK. If you currently do not possess the right to work in the UK, please be aware that our offer of employment is conditional upon you obtaining it.

ED&I Statement:

We are strongly dedicated to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within our community. As an Athena SWAN and Race Equality Charter award holder, a member of Stonewall and a Disability Confident Employer we are passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, regardless of your background. We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills, perspectives and experiences. In addition, we want our workforce to be representative of our diverse student population. Please see our EDI Framework and objectives.

Please note that this vacancy may be closed earlier than advertised, so early applications are advised.