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.
Research assistant in developmental mechanics (Fixed Term)
We are looking for a full-time Research Assistant working closely with Dr Fengtong Ji 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 nano-engineering approaches.
Cell-type transition and tissue property changes widely exist in the development of normal and malignant tissues. Using chick embryos as the model system, we are investigating the mechanical cues regulating tissue organisation and developing innovative techniques to explore the molecular and physical mechanisms through our cutting-edge homemade facilities, including a magnetic nanorobot platform for sensing and manipulation and a tissue force microscope (TiFM). In addition, ample resources from the core facilities at Gurdon Institute and other departments at Cambridge are accessible, including but not limited to advanced microscopes, computational services, and data analysis assistance.
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, biophysics, and nanorobotics. 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 future PhD application or academic career if they wish.
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. Experience and a good understanding of working in research labs are desired. Main duties include: conduct wet-lab experiments; 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.
The position is available from 1st Oct 2025.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.
Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV (including the names of two people who can provide a letter of reference) in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline your career aspirations and why you are interested in the post.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
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.
