Research Fellow in Membrane Sensors (110500-0526)

Informal Queries

• For informal queries, please contact Professor Satyajit Mayor at Satyajit.Mayor@warwick.ac.uk

You will join the laboratory of Professor Satyajit Mayor in the Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology,  Biomedical Sciences Directorate at Warwick Medical School to define and develop sensors for local membrane properties ranging from the biophysical to the mechanical. The Mayor laboratory is one of the leading laboratories, working on understanding basic cellular mechanisms that govern chemical, biophysical and mechanical properties of the cell membrane. This project is in collaboration with Robert Ernst (Membrane Cell Biology and Biophysics, University of Saarland) and the Molecular Tools and Imaging (MTI) at the HHMI Janelia Research Institute (HHMI-JRI) Mayor and Ernst study the crosstalk of proteins and lipids in health and disease, using interdisciplinary approaches at the cross-roads of cell biology, biochemistry, synthetic biology, imaging and biophysics.

You will have an honours degree or equivalent and have a PhD in cell biology, or biophysics or allied disciplines. You will have experience in molecular cell biology, and an interest in studying membrane biophysics, along with a strong scientific interest and motivation. With evidence of published work on the design of molecular sensors for monitoring properties in a cell or single molecule biophysics in living cells.

PhD Status

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).

Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

We offer an outstanding interdisciplinary environment for discovery science in one of the best universities in the UK. The Centre of Mechanochemical Cell Biology at the University of Warwick seeks to understand the principles of cellular self-organisation with a focus on the role of mechanics in processes that enable cell duplication, movement, repair and membrane organisation. The centre is home to 19 principal investigators with backgrounds in cell biology, computer science and physics. It is housed in the Mechanochemical Cell Biology building with state-of-the art imaging facilities.

The post holder will also join Warwick Biomedical Sciences (BMS). Areas of research excellence in BMS focus on quantitative molecular, cell and developmental biology, host-pathogen interactions and human reproduction. Collaborations with the Ernst group at Saarland university will provide an interdisciplinary training in studying membrane biophysics and biochemistry while MTI at HHMI-JRI is world renown in developing molecular tools for imaging cellular properties.

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**

Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.

* World University Ranking 2026, Complete University Guide 2026

** Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Sunday 24th May 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click APPLY below and submit your application by the closing deadline. 

You will be asked to include a CV and cover letter. Within these documents, please:

1. Outline your employment and education history (including your most recent employment).

2. Outline the reasons for your interest in this position.

3. Demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role with clear reference to each of the essential and desirable criteria in the Job Description (PDF attached below).

• Interview Date: To be confirmed
• Start Date: June 2026

Applications must be submitted by the closing deadline. Only applications submitted through our Careers Portal will be considered.

You are welcome to include any careers breaks you may have taken (e.g. parental/caring/long-term sick leave).

Please note that if you do not evidence the essential criteria, the hiring panel may not be able to shortlist your application. For guidance on how to format a cover letter, see here.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.