Research Associate in Autoantibody Discovery (AP

About the role

The post holder will join the Serology Research Group to undertake specific projects related to developing and optimising immunoprecipitation directly coupled to mass spectrometry to identify autoantibodies in sera from patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The projects have been funded by research grants from charities SRUK and BIRD.

Deciphering Seronegative Systemic Sclerosis: This project aims to identify autoantibodies in patients with the Rheumatic Disease Systemic sclerosis who have previously been found to be autoantibody negative utilising immunoprecipitation directly coupled to mass spectrometry.Does Immunoprecipitation coupled with high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry provide equivalent autoantibody diagnostic capabilities to conventional radio-immunopreciptation? This project aims to determine if immunoprecipitation directly coupled to mass spectrometry can identify known myositis and systemic sclerosis autoantibodies as effectively as protein radio-immunoprecipitation.

The Serology group have internationally recognised expertise in identifying autoantibodies in Rheumatic disease, particularly Myositis. This is an interdisciplinary project and you will work closely with health professionals and clinical scientists. The research group host PhD students and clinical fellows the role will include provision of some laboratory supervision and training, in addition to general laboratory management.

About you

The ideal candidate will have a detailed knowledge and previous experience of performing the laboratory techniques involved, (radioimmunoprecipitation, immunoprecipitation and sample preparation for mass spectrometry analysis) including experience with mass spectrometry data analysis. They will have experience in presenting their research findings at conferences and in paper publications. You will hold a PhD in the relevant discipline.

Further information

For an informal discussion relating to this vacancy, please contact Sarah Tansley [email protected] or, Neil McHugh [email protected]

Interviews are to be carried out on either the 14th or 15th January 2026, the date will be finalised upon shortlisting.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

What we can offer you

We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

Free counselling services through Health AssuredCycle to work schemeElectric vehicle salary sacrifice schemeStaff discount at Team Bath gymStaff discounts on postgraduate tuition feesStaff discount on language coursesGenerous employer contributory pension schemesGenerous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balanceA wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and moreFree entry to the Holburne Museum in BathLocal discounts and moreA family-friendly workplaceAn excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforceRelocation allowanceVisa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us X and LinkedIn.

                                           

Closing Date: 28 Dec 2025

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049