Postdoctoral Fellow

• locations
• Hinxton, Cambridgeshire

• time type
• Full time

• posted on
• Posted Today

• job requisition id
• JR103485

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

We are recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow specialising in immunology to study the role of immune cells in tissue regeneration. As a model of regeneration, we will use the endometrium, the mucosal layer of the uterus that undergoes cyclical shedding and regeneration in response to fluctuating hormone levels.
This position is fixed-term until 31 August 2028.

About the research:

Immune cells play an active role in regenerative processes, for example by providing growth factors and other signals that support tissue growth. One of the most striking examples of efficient regeneration is the endometrium, which is shed and regenerated every month without scarring. This process is most evident during menstruation, the phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium is shed and rapidly rebuilt. Despite its importance, the causal contribution of immune cells to regeneration, both in general and within the endometrium, remains poorly understood. This gap in knowledge limits our understanding of common gynaecological conditions such as Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB), a debilitating disorder characterised by excessive blood loss.

In this project, we will adopt an integrative, cutting-edge genomics approach to investigate the role of immune cells in endometrial regeneration in both health and disease. We will examine how immune cell function is altered in HMB using advanced genomic profiling applied to both endometrial tissue and menstrual fluid. Deep learning models will be used to predict cellular, molecular, and genetic associations with HMB, enabling the identification of causal pathways, patient stratification, and the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. A key component of the project is the use of in vitro systems, including organoid–immune cell co-cultures established in the lab, to validate findings and mechanistically dissect the contribution of immune cells to endometrial regeneration.

What you'll be doing:

In this role, you will lead investigations into the role of immune cells in regeneration, with a primary focus on the endometrium. The position is part of a large, collaborative project funded by Wellcome LEAP, which aims to profile menstrual fluid, the microbiome, and endometrial tissue using a range of transcriptomic technologies to identify novel biomarkers and treatments for HMB. You will work with single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to enable discovery-driven research, alongside organoid-based models for functional validation. The overarching goal is to define the molecular mechanisms by which immune cells regulate endometrial regeneration in both health and disease.

You will join the Vento-Tormo lab and take scientific leadership in profiling menstrual fluid and endometrial samples from individuals experiencing HMB, as well as in establishing patient-derived in vitro models. Your work will integrate computational analyses of single-cell and spatial genomics data with mechanistic experimentation in vitro. Your responsibilities will include: (1) Interpreting and biologically contextualising complex genomic datasets, with a focus on immune cell populations, (2) Designing and performing functional and mechanistic assays, (3)  Presenting findings to academic and clinical collaborators, (4) Contributing to the strategic and scientific direction of the project.

Key publications of the team:

• Lorenzi V, Icoresi-Mazzeo C, Cassie C, Yayon N, Ruiz-Morales ER, Sancho-Serra C, Colligan R, Wong FCK, Marečková M, Tuck E, Roberts K, Li T, Jacques MA, Ashcroft J, He X, Crespo B, Cakir B, Murray S, Gu Y, Predeus AV, Prete M, Kelava I, Barker R, Garcia-Alonso L, Marioni JC, Vento-Tormo R. “

  Spatiotemporal cellular map of the developing human reproductive tract”.Nature. 2025 Dec 17.

• Marečková, Magda, Luz Garcia-Alonso, Marie Moullet, Valentina Lorenzi, Robert Petryszak, Carmen Sancho-Serra, Agnes Oszlanczi, et al. 2024. “An Integrated Single-Cell Reference Atlas of the Human Endometrium.” Nature Genetics 56 (9): 1925–37.

• Arutyunyan A, Roberts K, Troulé K, Wong FCK, Sheridan MA, Kats I, Garcia-Alonso L, Velten B, Hoo R, Ruiz-Morales ER, Sancho-Serra C, Shilts J, Handfield LF, Marconato L, Tuck E, Gardner L, Mazzeo CI, Li Q, Kelava I, Wright GJ, Prigmore E, Teichmann SA, Bayraktar OA, Moffett A, Stegle O, Turco MY, Vento-Tormo R. “

  Spatial multiomics map of trophoblast development in early pregnancy”.Nature. 2023 Apr;616(7955):143-151.

• Garcia-Alonso, Luz, Louis-François Handfield, Kenny Roberts, Konstantina Nikolakopoulou, Ridma C. Fernando, Lucy Gardner, Benjamin Woodhams, et al. 2021. “Mapping the Temporal and Spatial Dynamics of the Human Endometrium in Vivo and in Vitro.” Nature Genetics 53 (12): 1698–1711.

About You:

You have a strong interest in immunology and experience in cellular and molecular biology. You are capable of working independently while thriving in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. We welcome applications from candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Immunology

• Cell and molecular biology

• Cell culture, including organoids

• Interpreting transcriptomic data

You will be part of a vibrant international Postdoctoral Fellow community at the Sanger Institute with a wide programme of transferable skills training and excellent career development opportunities. For more information about being a Postdoctoral Fellow - please visit: https://youtu.be/1-vxm2nBmFA

Essential Skills:

• PhD in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, or a similar discipline or on track to complete within 6 months of starting the role.

• Proven expertise in immunology

• Proven expertise in flow cytometry

• Strong experience in cell culture

• Proven ability to interpret transcriptomic data in a biologically relevant context

• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with wide range of persons of differing level, abilities and knowledge

• Foster an inclusive culture where all can thrive and diversity is celebrated

• Team player with the ability to work with others in a collegiate and collaborative environment

• Ability to effectively communicate ideas and results and present orally to groups

• Commitment to personal development and updating of knowledge and skills

• Ability to priortise, multi-task and work independently

• Detailed orientated, strong organizational and problem-solving skills

Other Information:

For further information, please see role profile.

Salary per annum (dependent upon skills and experience): £38,000-£49,156

Application Process:

Please apply with your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria set out above.

Closing Date: 11th February 2026

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018.  The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

About Us

Life at the Sanger Institute is unique. We are tackling some of the most difficult challenges in genomic research. Our people are shaping the future by delivering life-changing science with the reach, scale, and creativity to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world.

Benefits

We offer an attractive benefits package at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. We appreciate the importance of achieving work-life balance and support this with a number of family and carer-friendly policies. Plus a flexible working policy for those who may wish to amend their working pattern or arrangement.

Visa Sponsorship

Each year, the Wellcome Sanger Institute welcomes researchers from around the world to the Genome Campus to collaborate and drive cutting-edge science. Whether you're joining as faculty, a postdoc, or a visitor, our dedicated International Team offers expert guidance and support throughout your journey, promoting the Institute’s global and collaborative ethos.