Research Assistant in Drosophila Cell Biology (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for a Research Assistant position in the group of Prof Daniel St Johnston at the Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge. The post is available for up to 3 years, starting from October 1st, 2025.
The BBSRC-funded project aims to determine how modulation of the key polarity kinase, aPKC, induces apical constriction in epithelial cells and to investigate the role that this mechanism plays in morphogenesis during Drosophila development. Responsibilities will include the generation of transgenic and mutant flies using CRISPR/Cas9, performing crosses to produce the appropriate genotypes, clone generation using the Flp/FRT system and live imaging of Drosophila embryos and egg chambers.
Homepage: http://www.gurdon.cam.ac.uk/research/stjohnston
Applicants must have a Bachelors or Masters level degree in a relevant area of Biology. Expertise in cell biology and Drosophila genetics would be an advantage, although training can be provided where necessary.
The post does not require a PhD qualification.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Applications should include a CV, a cover letter and the names of two referees.
Please quote reference PR45603 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Entrepreneurship Programme Coordinator (Fixed Term)
The Entrepreneurship Programme Coordinator at the Milner Therapeutics Institute (MTI) is an exciting opportunity for an individual to play a key role in coordinating entrepreneurial programmes on behalf of Cambridge Gravity and the Milner Therapeutics Institute (MTI), including the Bio-spark programme.
Bio-spark is an entrepreneurial programme and support system for early-career scientists considering a career in business and enterprise. It is a key part of the Milner Therapeutics Institute's entrepreneurship education activities. As the Bio-spark Fellowship Programme continues to grow and evolve, a dedicated Programme Coordinator is essential to support its delivery and future development.
This role will serve as the primary point of contact for Bio-spark fellows, providing guidance, answering queries, and ensuring a smooth and supportive programme experience. A central focus of this role is to coordinate the ongoing support provided to Bio-spark fellows, including arranging events/meetings and creating opportunities for networking and engagement. The Coordinator will lead the annual intake process, including managing the application process and forms, promoting the fellowship, engaging with prospective applicants, and coordinating contractual and financial agreements with industry, charity and venture capital partners.
The MTI is a unique institute at the University of Cambridge where academics, start-ups and biotech companies work side by side in shared office and laboratory space. The MTI encompasses both a research institute and a global outreach programme, with an overarching mission to transform pioneering science into therapies. The institute connects academia with industry to drive collaborative research and accelerate therapeutic companies. It also has its own research capabilities in human disease modelling, therapeutic target discovery, functional genomics and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning.
The Enterprise arm of the MTI provides a comprehensive support system, which is designed to facilitate the growth of entrepreneurial ventures from conception to realization. It offers programmes in educational ideation, entrepreneurship and skills development, incubation facilities for young companies, a founder's community, and pitch events with investors.
The ideal candidate will be creative, with previous experience working in an entrepreneurial environment, including developing, managing and delivering entrepreneurship programmes including events/activities, and networking sessions. They will be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate professionally and confidentially with staff and internal/external stakeholders at all level, excellent planning and organisation skills. Educated to degree level/ level 6 vocational qualification or equivalent level of practical experience.
The is a hybrid position, and the successful candidate will be expected to split their time between the Milner Therapeutics Institute and working from home depending on the needs of the team and as requested by the line manager. Weekly schedules may vary.
Before applying, please read the further information document linked below for role responsibilities and person specification.
Interviews are expected to held 26th-27th August.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 years in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries can be directed to Alexandra Huener, Head of Entrepreneurship ah930@cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PR46679 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Research Assistant in Developmental Mechanics and Morphogenesis (Fixed Term)
We are looking for a full-time Research Assistant in Dr Fengzhu Xiong's lab at the Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge. The successful candidate will be involved in studies of collective cell dynamics and tissue morphogenesis during embryo development using cellular, molecular and mechanical approaches.
Cell movements underlie tissue patterns and shapes. Using chick embryos as the model system, we are investigating the mechanical cues regulating the partition and migration of body axis progenitors. We have developed innovative techniques such as tissue force microscope (TiFM) enabling in vivo, in situ mimicking of tissue forces, allowing us to map tissue and cell responses to mechanical inputs. This role provides an opportunity to contribute and integrate in ongoing projects as well as to initiate new queries.
As a member of an interdisciplinary team, the candidate will have the opportunity to receive training in a variety of techniques, including molecular biology, embryology, imaging, computation, and biophysics. They will also have the opportunity to develop independent projects after gaining adequate experience. Moreover, they will receive support if they wish to participate in career development activities such as appropriate professional activities while in the role. This is an excellent opportunity for someone enthusiastic about learning new techniques, proactive in research and self-motivated in advancing science. Their active involvement in this project will contribute to their career development, such as increasing their competitiveness in PhD scholarship applications.
The successful applicant is anticipated to have detail-oriented research insight and exceptional record-keeping working habits. They will have strong organisational and communication skills and excellent problem-solving skills.
Main duties will include: conduct tissue-mechanical and imaging experiments using early avian embryos; acquire and process data; prepare reagents and samples; optimise protocols; program and debug codes for analysis; coordinate with the PI and Lab Manager; participate in regular group meetings and other group activities.
Fixed term: The position is available with a flexible starting date. The funds for this post are available for 1 year in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Please quote reference PR46629 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Research Assistant (Fixed Term)
The Functional Genomics Screening Laboratory (FGSL) is seeking a highly motivated research assistant with broad skills in molecular and cellular biology.
About the FGSL:
The FGSL is a partnership between the Milner Therapeutics Institute (MTI), the Medical Research Council and AstraZeneca. The newly established lab, located in the MTI, aims to accelerate novel target discovery in health and disease through CRISPR screening. Leveraging arrayed screening to systematically perturb individual genes in a microtitre plate format, the FGSL forms cross-functional partnerships to interrogate the genome at scale. The lab aligns with the MTI's vision of breaking the mould of how academia and industry interact. The FGSL is part of the UK Research and Innovation's Human Functional Genomics Initiative, aiming to facilitate innovative and collaborative research to drive new scientific discoveries.
Key responsibilities:
The post holder will support a diverse range of arrayed CRISPR screening projects in non-oncology research areas. Working closely with our team of wet and dry lab scientists, the successful applicant will utilise their molecular and cellular biology skills to support CRISPR screening experiments. Typical tasks will include culturing human cellular models, such as primary cells, stem cells, co-cultures or organoids; assisting the run of high-throughput screening; and supporting the operations of the labs.
Why join us?
The MTI offers a buoyant, vibrant, and fast-paced environment that fits individuals who thrive amidst change and innovation. You will work at the dynamic interface between academia and industry, engaging with researchers from diverse sectors to foster knowledge exchange and drive pioneering functional genomics research.
We welcome applications from BSc and MSc graduates with an adaptive mindset, who are eager to learn and are interested in playing a supportive role to help the team to achieve goals. You will be part of an engaging and supportive environment that prioritises professional growth and career development. The role offers the unique opportunity to be involved in a variety of screening projects and will equip the successful applicant with transferable skills in the field of functional genomics, as well as laboratory operations.
Additional information:
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.
Application process:
To find out the full duties of the role and person specification, click below to view the further particulars.
In person interviews will be held between 21st and 31st July 2025.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries can be directed to Chun Hao Wong, FGSL lead, wc389@cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PR46151 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Research Associate x 2 (Fixed Term)
The Functional Genomics Screening Laboratory (FGSL) is seeking two research associates to perform high-throughput CRISPR phenotypic screening in complex models.
About the FGSL:
The FGSL is a partnership between the Milner Therapeutics Institute (MTI), the Medical Research Council and AstraZeneca. The newly established lab, located in the MTI, aims to combine know-how and experience to accelerate novel target discovery in health and disease. Leveraging arrayed screening to systematically perturb individual genes in a microtitre plate format, the FGSL forms cross-functional partnerships to interrogate the genome at scale. The lab aligns with the MTI's vision of breaking the mould of how academia and industry interact. The FGSL is part of the UK Research and Innovation's Human Functional Genomics Initiative, aiming to facilitate innovative and collaborative research to drive new scientific discoveries.
Key responsibilities:
Working closely in a team, the post holder will design and implement arrayed CRISPR screens in human cellular models. This will include primary cells, stem-cells, co-cultures or organoids in non-oncology research areas. Working with academic and industry collaborators across the UK, the successful candidate will scope and optimise a range of functional assays such as high-content imaging, flow cytometry or ELISAs to characterise the phenotypic changes upon CRISPR editing. The role will involve designing and performing high-throughput screening workflows that encompass gene editing, phenotypic assays and automated liquid handlers.
Why join us?
The MTI offers a buoyant, vibrant, and fast-paced environment that fits individuals who thrive amidst change and innovation. As part of our team, you will work at the dynamic interface between academia and industry, engaging with researchers from diverse sectors to foster knowledge exchange and drive pioneering functional genomics research.
You will be part of an engaging and supportive environment that prioritises professional growth and career development. The role offers the unique opportunity to enhance a variety of transferable scientific skills such as culturing and perturbing complex cell models, applying laboratory automation in biological experiments, and analysing multi-parametric data to support phenotypic-driven target discovery.
Application process:
To find out the full duties of the role and person specification, click below to view the further information document.
Interviews will be held in-person between the 21st-31st July.
Additional information:
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries can be directed to Chun Hao Wong, FGSL lead, wc389@cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PR46150 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
HDBI Public Engagement Manager (Part Time, Fixed Term)
What makes us human? is the public engagement programme of the Wellcome-funded Human Developmental Biology Initiative (HDBI). HDBI is a human developmental biology consortium of sixteen research groups across seven UK universities/research institutes which aims to deliver fundamental knowledge about human development. Working with HDBI scientists, What makes us human? is providing a culture of engagement and new ways of working allowing the science to anticipate, include and respond to a broad range of societal insights and perspectives. What makes us human? focuses on developing the knowledge, skills and confidence of HDBI scientists and public engagement practitioners through an on-going programme of training and support. It is also developing long-term relationships with stakeholders, delivering specific engagement projects and is committed to on-going external evaluation and refinement of its programme.
We are looking for a part time HDBI public engagement manager who is eager to build on their existing experience to coordinate and deliver this ambitious multi-centre engagement project. The public engagement manager will be based at the Gurdon Institute in Cambridge (www.gurdon.cam.ac.uk) and will work with Dr Emma Rawlins, the HDBI academic lead for public engagement (www.gurdon.cam.ac.uk/research/rawlins; www.hdbi.org/public-engagement).
The HDBI public engagement manager will coordinate a multi-stakeholder Insights Group to inform and improve our research, engagement and communications. They will coordinate a network of public engagement practitioners across the seven institutions of the HDBI and external collaborators/sub-contractors and manage the overall budget to ensure delivery of What makes us human? Working with the Insights group, they will develop and deliver bespoke training activities for all HDBI scientists. Working with the HDBI overall programme manager they will deliver internal and external communications relating to public engagement. Moreover, there will be an opportunity to work closely with HDBI scientists based at the Gurdon Institute to assist with development and delivery of local HDBI engagement activities.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 16 February 2026 in the first instance.
The post is available immediately.
If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact HR@gurdon.cam.ac.uk.
We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Please quote reference PR45947 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
