Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Overview

Full-time and fixed-term for up to 24 months. Closing date: 8/3/2026 at 23:59. Interview date: 13/04/2026.

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles and Neuropathic Pain

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the RESOLVE consortium at the School of Pharmacy, working on mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSCEVs) as a novel immunomodulatory therapy for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. You will be based in the Department of Pharmacy within the School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, contributing to an international, multidisciplinary programme spanning in vitro, in vivo and translational pain research.

You will take a leading role in EV potency screening and mechanistic studies, including gene reporter assays, characterisation of NF-κB and related pro-inflammatory signalling pathways in human and murine cells, and preparation of samples for transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. You will also be responsible for running and analysing a mouse chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) model, including paclitaxel dosing, behavioural assessment of pain (von Frey, thermal and functional readouts), and evaluation of MSCEV treatments on pain-like behaviours and neuroinflammatory markers.

Working closely with colleagues at Reading and international partners, you will help integrate cellular, molecular and behavioural datasets to define the mechanism of action of MSCEVs in neuropathic pain.

This post is fixed-term offers excellent opportunities for career development, including supervision of junior researchers, contribution to publications and conference presentations, and close collaboration with leading European groups in stem cell, EV and pain research.

• Lead EV potency screening and mechanistic studies, including gene reporter assays and the characterisation of NF-κB and related pro-inflammatory signalling pathways in human and murine cells.
• Prepare samples for transcriptomic and proteomic analyses.
• Run and analyse a mouse CIPN model (paclitaxel dosing, behavioural assessment of pain, and evaluation of MSCEV treatments on pain-like behaviours and neuroinflammatory markers).
• Collaborate with partners to integrate cellular, molecular and behavioural datasets to define the mechanism of action of MSCEVs in neuropathic pain.
• Contribute to supervision of junior researchers and to publications and conference presentations.

• A PhD (or have submitted your thesis) in a relevant discipline such as cell or molecular biology, immunology, pharmacology, neurobiology, biomedical sciences or stem cell biology.
• Proven experience in mammalian cell culture and at least two of: flow cytometry, western blotting, qRT-PCR, or related molecular/cellular assays.
• Hands-on experience with in vivo rodent work, ideally including pain or neurological models, and a UK Personal Licence (PIL) under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, or the ability and willingness to obtain this promptly.
• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work independently, maintain meticulous records, and contribute effectively to a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

We welcome applications from both external and internal candidates. In line with the University’s commitment to staff development, this role may be considered as a secondment opportunity for existing employees; internal applicants should discuss this with their line manager before applying.

Contact Name: Dr Maria Maiarù

Contact

Job Title:

Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Pain Research

Contact Email Address: [note: provide address as in original text]

Alternative Contact Name: Prof Darius Widera

Alternative Contact

Job Title:

Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine

Alternative Contact Email Address: [note: provide address as in original text]

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level
2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.