Research Assistant- Twigger Group (Fixed Term)
The Cambridge Lactation Laboratory (https://www.cambridgelactationlab.com/) is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Research Assistant to support the Cambridgeshire Multiomics of Milk (CAMB MOM) study. Join a dynamic and growing research group in the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, under the leadership of Dr Alecia-Jane Twigger. The team is passionate about women's and infant health and specializes in both experimental (wet lab) and bioinformatic (dry lab) research. Within the group, we will provide you with further training in these disciplines. We would also support interested candidates to pursue postdoctoral studies (i.e. PhD).
The CAMB MOM study conducts multiomics analyses (lipidomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics) on samples from a cohort of breastfeeding participants in Cambridgeshire. The insights gained from gene-gene interaction networks will be tested using in vitro mammary organoid models and integrated into computational models. By investigating the molecular pathways of human milk production, we aim to resolve breastfeeding challenges and promote optimal long-term health for mothers and infants.
Candidate Requirements:
We seek a competent individual with excellent laboratory skills in building computational models and some wet lab experience. Preferred qualifications include: -Knowledge of BMA executable models -Experience with molecular analysis (e.g. RNA extraction and purification) and cell culture -The ideal candidate will demonstrate responsibility, initiative, independent thinking, and possess excellent communication and organizational skills. The ability to work effectively both individually and within a diverse team are highly desirable.
Key Responsibilities
Supporting Study Sample Collections and Analysis:
-Organize sample collections with research group members and study participants. -Process and store samples for analysis. -Perform pre-processing and quality control on raw lipidomic, metabolomic, proteomic, transcriptomic and genomic data. -Analyse and integrate different 'omics data to understand milk biosynthesis pathways. -Apply machine learning methods and statistical approaches to explore and interpret data. -Organise data and upload datasets to relevant open-source repositories. -Collaborate with local and international partners to compare findings across cohorts.
Laboratory Operations:
-Write up research findings for presentation and publication. -Continually update knowledge and understanding in the field and translate this knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity.
Qualifications:
-BSc degree (or equivalent) in Biology, Biochemistry, Natural Sciences, or a related field. -Practical research experience.
Why Join Us
Being part of the Cambridge Lactation Laboratory, you will have the opportunity to contribute your ideas to ongoing research. You will be able to engage with an opportunity-rich scientific and clinical research environment within the University of Cambridge and nearby Cambridge Biomedical Campus. You will also have the opportunity to expand your research network, engaging with the wider international research community. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes intellectual curiosity and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from a diverse group of backgrounds and allow for flexible working hours.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 May 2028 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 are welcome to be sent to Dr Twigger: ajt215@cam.ac.uk
For queries regarding the application process, please contact: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PH46444 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 - Deep learning for Genomics (Bornelöv Group)
We are seeking a highly motivated and talented research assistant to join us at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, to study gene regulation using deep learning. This is an exciting opportunity to use AI-based methods to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind mRNA processing and fate.
You will be part of a computational team, led by Dr Susanne Bornelöv, which studies the role of codon usage bias in gene regulation using various approaches including machine learning and AI, evolutionary genomics, and sequencing data analysis.
Your project will focus on using deep learning and other statistical and machine learning approaches to reveal how codon usage bias and other mRNA features contribute to gene regulation. The ultimate aim is to gain a precise understanding of how these different properties interact to influence mRNA localisation, stability and translation, as well as protein function. To achieve this, you will use cutting-edge computational approaches, including building in silico models that enable you to systematically probe the effect of differences in codon usage and nucleotide sequence on mRNA fate.
To be successful in this role, you will need experience in deep learning or other machine learning techniques, an ability to drive a project independently, and solid programming/scripting skills. Applicants should have a BSc or MSc degree in a relevant quantitative discipline and ideally some research experience. Prior work involving any aspect of gene regulation, including mRNA transcription, translation or turnover would be beneficial, but is not strictly required. Most importantly we are looking for someone with a strong desire to be part of a team aimed at uncovering fundamental aspects of gene regulation using computational methods.
For more information about the research group, including our most recent publications, please see our website: www.sblab.uk.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 year, starting from the successful candidates start date. The starting date is flexible, but suggested to be around September.
Please send applications in the following format: a CV, including full details of all University courses taken with date (with grades if available), a cover letter, and the names and contact details of two academic referees. Please use the cover letter to explain why you are applying for this role, what you will bring to the project, and how you match the essential and desired criteria for the post (please see the Further Particulars document).
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
For any informal enquiries, please contact Dr Susanne Bornelöv via: smb208@cam.ac.uk
For queries regarding the application process, please contact: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PH46415 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 - Jackson (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for a Research Associate to join the Department of Biochemistry, under the supervision of Dr Antony Jackson. The successful candidate will conduct a BHF-funded research project on voltage-gated sodium channels, particularly the heart-specific channel, Nav1.5. The specific question will focus on the functional effects of small molecule drugs on Nav channel behaviour. The work will entail electrophysiological analysis, structural biology approaches such as cryo electron microscopy, computational modelling, cell biology and biochemistry.
The role holder will therefore need to possess expert knowledge on the structure and function of voltage-gated sodium channels and skills in both manual and automated patch clamp electrophysiology. Molecular biology experience for the cloning, site-directed mutagenesis and expression of Nav channels will be required, together with experience of computational modelling for drug docking to aid mutagenesis experiments.
The successful candidate will help design, conduct and interpret experiments in discussion with the PI and Co-PI and other members of the research team. Research will be presented at group meetings and at research conferences and will be published in journal articles prepared by the role holder, with support from other team members.
Candidates should hold a PhD in Biochemistry or another relevant subject.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available from 7th November 2025 until 30th June 2027, 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 are welcome to be sent to Dr Antony Jackson: apj10@cam.ac.uk
For queries regarding the application process, please contact: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PH46147 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- Dupree Group (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited from an enthusiastic and team-oriented researcher to join the laboratory of Professor Paul Dupree. The Dupree lab https://www.bioc.cam.ac.uk/dupree is internationally recognised as a leading team of researchers in plant cell wall biochemistry. We aim to understand how the biosynthesis and assembly of polysaccharides generates the remarkable plant cell wall that can be strong, and resistant to decay or, when appropriate, able to expand as the cells grow. We apply our discoveries in applications from human and animal dietary fibre, gut microbiome modulation, soil health and synthesis of cellulosic materials to replace petrochemicals in packaging and building construction.
The successful candidate will join a team working to understand the relationship between glucomannan structure and function, in a project selected as an ERC Advanced grant to Prof Dupree, and funded by UKRI.
Candidates should hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in Biochemistry or other relevant field, with a strong background in plant or carbohydrate biochemistry. A proven track record of research productivity and the ability to lead diverse but complementary projects to completion is essential.
Experience in Arabidopsis molecular genetics such as CRISPR/Cas9, molecular biological techniques, protein expression, carbohydrate structural analysis or enzyme assays would be desirable.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available immediately until 30 September 2027 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 are welcome to be sent to Professor Dupree: pd101@cam.ac.uk
For queries regarding the application process, please contact: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PH45944 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 in Functional Metagenomics- novel biocatalysts for a sustainable circular economy from ultrahigh throughput screening- Hollfelder Group (Fixed Term)
A postdoctoral position is available for 12 months in the first instance, with a possible extension, from 1 June 2025, to work with Professor Florian Hollfelder at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge. (https://hollfelder.bioc.cam.ac.uk/). The project is part of the Horizon Europe project BlueTools (https://www.bluetools-project.eu/) and involves collaborations with various EU and UK groups on harnessing marine microbiomes and marine culture collections for novel biocatalysts that may play a role in future sustainable processes with higher resource and energy efficiency.
We will develop ultrahigh throughput assays to screen metagenomic libraries for new catalysts for applications in recycling, bioremediation and green chemistry. Candidate enzymes are mechanistically investigated, structurally characterised and subsequently improved by directed evolution. Ultrahigh-throughput screening in microfluidic picoliter droplets allows us to interrogate enzyme libraries with more than 10 million members experimentally in a day, increasing the chances of success in catalyst discovery.
Applicants should thus have a first (or upper second) class degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related, relevant subject, followed by a PhD. Familiarity with molecular and chemical biology techniques and specific skills in assay development, enzyme kinetics, DNA library generation, structural biology, organic synthesis, high-throughput screening, mechanistic enzymology, database searching and microfluidic engineering are advantages, as well as postdoctoral experience. Applications should contain a description of research interests as part of the cover letter, a detailed CV (with exam marks and all relevant practical experience) and a list of publications. Please also include the names and email addresses of at least two referees, who are familiar with your research work.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months starting 1st June 2025 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 are welcome to be sent to Florian Hollfelder: fh111@cam.ac.uk
For queries regarding the application process, please contact: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PH45939 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.
