University of Salford Hiring The University of Salford has been at the forefront in leading research to answer some of the fundamental questions relating to FASD. The UoS FASD research team, who are part of this project, is the only UK team with a track record obtaining UK funding for FASD research. One of the recent key articles from the group can be found in this link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34590329/. The early diagnosis of FASD is limited by an inability to confirm alcohol exposure during the pregnancy. For this unmet need, our vision is to identify a non-invasive biomarker for FASD. Northwest England suffers disproportionately from alcohol-related harm. The devolution of health and social care allowed Greater Manchester (GM) to respond to FASD, becoming a leader in England.
We bring together inter-disciplinary university researchers, technicians, and students with NHS colleagues to address an unmet clinical need, particularly benefiting the NW of the country. We are delighted that Greater Manchester Integrated Care is part of our team to realise this vision.
The project team members are the founders of the UK FASD research collaborative and are currently collaborating with Universities of Surrey, Bristol and Brighton on FASD projects; relationships that we will further develop with this programme.
Our vision is to develop a proof-of-principle dataset of using small molecules (microRNA) as possible biomarkers for FASD. We focus on a specific subset of microRNAs that are maternally expressed (hence relevant for maternal alcohol exposure), known for its importance in foetal brain development and for its importance as biomarkers in various human diseases, including cancers.
Job Title: post-doctoral fellow
What will the role involve?
We are looking for a post-doctoral fellow to join a research group led by Dr. Arijit Mukhopadhyay, part of the Human and Natural Sciences (HANS) directorate within SSEE. The position is full-time and for a 19-month period (January 2024 – July 2025). The research group is focused on molecular biology and genomics related to human diseases. This specific project is on a novel approach to discover non-invasive molecular biomarkers for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Eligbility Criteria: The post-holder will be responsible for the co-planning and execution of the experiments. An ideal candidate would be someone who has a PhD degree in one of the following areas or a combination of these: (i) extracellular vesicles, (ii) transcriptomics, (iii)) non-coding RNA biology etc; is able to work independently as well as part of a team, and able to handle both wet-lab and analysis parts of the project. Experience in working with nanopore sequencing technology and analysis will be an advantage. The role will also require interactions with clinical and health science collaborators who are part of the programme.
If you have any questions or would like a chat about the role, then please contact Dr. Arijit Mukhopadhyay, at a.mukhopadhyay@salford.ac.uk.
Interviews will take place w/c 23/10/2023.
What’s in it for you? 
Competitive salary - and excellent pension scheme
Generous annual leave - plus the option to buy additional holiday days
Flexible working - we support a culture of both flexible and agile working, to help you find the right balance (Subject to Business Requirements)
Professional development – a comprehensive package of training and development opportunities to help you achieve your full potential.
Our community – there’s a real sense of belonging here at Salford. We value diversity — in backgrounds and in experiences. Our difference makes us stronger, and together we share a passion for improving students’ lives.
The perks! MySalford, our online employee portal, offers a wide range of lifestyle benefits and discounts.
Wellbeing support –dedicated services and facilities to support your mental and physical health, ranging from an Employee Assistance Programme and counselling to sports and fitness facilities, including discounted gym memberships.
Sustainable Salford – We embed sustainability in all aspects of university life and have a commitment to becoming NetZero Carbon by 2038
Greater Manchester - Live and work in one of the most vibrant regions in the UK, a hot spot of digital innovation, excellent schools and colleges, and with affordable city, suburban and rural living options to suit a wide range of lifestyle choices. Our Peel Park campus is unique and offers lots of green spaces. Our MediaCity campus is at the heart of one of the country’s leading digital and media hubs.
Team Salford – By joining us, you can be part of our ambitious journey and help make a real difference to the people and communities we support.
University of Salford Hiring, University of Salford Hiring
