Overview
Research Associate in Intestinal Physiology (AP13231) – Bath, BA2 7AY
About the role
We are seeking a full-time time highly motivated post-doctoral research associate to join Prof Edan Foley’s group in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Bath.
Prof Edan Foley’s group is currently focusing on the effects of commensal and pathogenic bacteria on intestinal homeostasis in the zebrafish model. The group is particularly interested in understanding how BEST4 cells shape host responses to pro-inflammatory challenges. BEST4 cells are a recently identified intestinal epithelial cell type with putative roles in the regulation of intestinal pH and mucus hydration. However, we have minimal understanding of the relationships between BEST4 cells and inflammatory challenges in a live animal model.
This job purpose can be summarised as follows:
- Working with larval and adult zebrafish characterize the impacts of pro-inflammatory challenges on BEST4 cell function in the gut.
- Determine the consequences of BEST4 cell ablation for host responses to intestinal inflammation.
- Using genetic and genomic methodologies, characterize the transcriptional states of BEST4 cells as the intestine experiences and recovers from an inflammatory challenge.
About you
Our ideal candidate will have:
- A PhD or equivalent in a relevant subject
- Experience working with animal models of intestinal development and homeostasis.
- Experience working with intestinal responses to injurious challenges, particularly in the context of genetic manipulation of the host.
- Bioinformatic expertise in the characterization of intestinal cell types that express fluorescent markers of interest.
- Publications in a relevant field.
Further information
For an informal discussion relating to this role, please contact Prof Edan Foley (efoley@ualberta.ca), or, Prof David Tosh (bssdt@bath.ac.uk)
This is a full-time(36.5 hours), fixed-term contract for 24 months
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
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 Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
- Visa 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: 10 Dec 2025
Department: Education & Research
Salary: £38,784 to £46,049
