Research Assistant/Associate (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for a Research Assistant/Associate position to work in the groups of Dr Felipe Karam Teixeira and Professor Richard Durbin at the Department of Genetics in central Cambridge.
The successful candidate will work on a Wellcome Trust-funded project that brings together the Karam Teixeira and Durbin groups to focus on dissecting how transposable elements shape the evolution of eukaryotic genomes. Dr Karam Teixeira's group uses Drosophila as a model to study transposable element biology, epigenetic regulation and inheritance, small RNA-based defence mechanisms, and germline biology in animals, while Prof Durbin's works on computational genomics and large scale genome science, including the development of new algorithms and statistical methods to study genome evolution. Moving forward, the labs are jointly building an interdisciplinary research team, which will combine large-scale experimental evolution studies and innovative computational methods, with the goal to uncover the breadth of transposon-derived variation and its role in functional genetic variation and genome evolution in animals.
A PhD in a biological science or computational science is essential for this role. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, updated to Postdoctoral Research Associate level once their PhD has been awarded. The salary range for Research Assistants is £32,546 - £35,116 and for Research Associates this is £37,174 - £45,413 per annum.
Suitable candidates should have previous experience of genetic analysis of large scale genome sequence data and transposable element biology. They should be able to develop and apply at scale bioinformatic tools that identify and classify transposable elements, and the variation they create. Solid experience in programming with Bash and Python is also required and previous experience of vertebrate and invertebrate genomes would be beneficial.
The ideal candidate will be an independent researcher capable of managing a variety of raw and processed genomic data (including DNA-seq, RNA-seq, small RNA-seq, Hi-C, as well as long-read sequencing - RNA and DNA - data), and work productively with wet and dry researchers in an interdisciplinary research environment.
Further information about Dr Felipe Karam Teixeira's research group can be found here https://www.gen.cam.ac.uk/research-groups/research-groups/karam-teixeira
Further information about Professor Richard Durbin's research group can be found here https://www.gen.cam.ac.uk/research-groups/research-groups/durbin
Fixed Term: The funding for this position is 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.
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Dr Felipe Karam Teixeira (fk319@cam.ac.uk) or Professor Richard Durbin (rd109@cam.ac.uk)
Please quote reference PC45860 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 (Fixed Term)
We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the research group of Dr. Antoine Hocher in the Department of Genetics, based in central Cambridge. Our lab explores molecular mimicry and chromatin evolution. We combine molecular biology, phylogenetics, proteomics and genetics.
This postdoctoral position focuses on studying and engineering proteins that mimic DNA. Molecular mimicry is a powerful evolutionary strategy observed across diverse organisms, from insects to vertebrates. While striking examples of phenotypic mimicry are well-documented, systematic approaches to identify and manipulate molecular mimicry remain largely unexplored.
The successful candidate will lead wet-lab projects aimed at:
- Developing high-throughput environmental DNA screens to uncover new cases of molecular mimicry.
- Engineering DNA-mimicking proteins using directed evolution platforms.
- Dissecting the mechanisms of action of newly identified DNA mimics.
By applying cutting-edge approaches, this work aims to systematically uncover DNA mimics and their targets, with potential applications in inhibiting DNA-binding proteins and advancing our understanding of molecular mimicry as a biological phenomenon.
This position provides a unique opportunity to develop expertise in diverse high-throughput techniques (proteomics, transcriptomics, directed evolution). The successful candidate will benefit from the lab's combined expertise in wet-lab molecular biology and computational biology.
Prior experience in microbiology, protein biology or experimental evolution is advantageous. Computational biology expertise is not required. A curious, persevering, and independent mindset is essential.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 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.
For informal enquiries about the role please contact Dr Antoine Hocher ah2368@cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PC45382 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.
IT Technician
The Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, is a thriving, friendly and dynamic community of staff and students, dedicated to the pursuit of world-class research, teaching and learning, and driven by curiosity, quality, collaboration and innovation. It is a wonderfully rich and rewarding environment in which to grow, both personally and professionally.
We wish to recruit an enthusiastic and self-motivated IT Technician who can assist with the provision of IT support for all teaching, research and administration activities within the department. The role will be split 50/50 between the main Department of Genetics and the Bioinformatics Training Facility (BTF), which sits within the Department of Genetics. This will be a hands-on role providing the first line of support and therefore requires good communication and relationship-building skills.
The role will be well supported by the IT Managers in the department and BTF, by the School of Biological Sciences Head of IT, and by colleagues in similar roles in other university departments. A wide range of training and professional career development opportunities are also available. If you have the technical skills to help with the delivery of a resilient IT service for the department, and the personality and drive to contribute to an outstanding support culture, please do apply - we'll be delighted to hear from you.
This role is based within the Department of Genetics, and full-time, on-site presence is expected.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Gareth Porteous gsp35@cam.ac.uk and Paul Judge pj237@cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PC45379 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 Developmental Biology (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the group of Dr Erik Clark at the Department of Genetics in central Cambridge. We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic individual to join a small interdisciplinary team investigating the robust patterning of the early Drosophila embryo. The role will involve developing and applying cutting-edge imaging approaches in Drosophila and Tribolium embryos, plus computational analysis of the resulting data.
Your primary responsibility will be to establish and optimise new techniques in the lab, including live imaging of gene expression in Drosophila embryos and multiplexed fixed imaging of gene expression in Tribolium embryos. Significant previous experience with Drosophila and Tribolium husbandry, advanced imaging, and image analysis is essential for the role. Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 would also be helpful.
The context of the project is the evolution of anteroposterior patterning networks across insects. A background in and enthusiasm for insect evolutionary developmental biology is highly desirable for the role.
The role will involve independently leading your own project while teaching and learning from other lab members and external collaborators. A friendly, collaborative attitude and good organisational and communication skills are essential.
Suitable applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant scientific discipline. They should be able to demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of relevant wet-lab, imaging, and computational techniques, and be confident in delivering training in these techniques to other lab members. They should also have experience in presenting research to different audiences, contributing to publications, and helping to lead group discussions.
The position is fixed term for a period of 18 months in the first instance and is available from 1st April 2025.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries about the role are welcome and should be directed to Dr Erik Clark ec491@cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PC45080 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/Practical Class Technician (Part Time)
The Department of Genetics is one of 13 departments within the School of Biological Sciences. The main building of the Genetics Department is home to 22 research groups, 117 staff and 30-40 undergraduate students, and comprises laboratories, teaching classrooms, offices and support facilities on 4 floors. The Genetics Department teaches at all levels of undergraduate education and provides input to many undergraduate courses. The successful applicant will be part of the professional support staff team and be responsible for providing technical support for teaching activities across the Department.
We are looking for a proactive and responsible Technician who is confident working with different research groups and leading the organisation and provision of resources for laboratory based practical teaching classes. The ideal applicant will have practical experience of supporting biological research with a high degree of accuracy and be able to demonstrate knowledge of the principles, processes and general concepts related to Laboratory Technician work.
A key element of the role supports staff across the Department by monitoring the stock of consumables, ordering replacements and assisting with the maintenance of laboratory equipment. The role holder will be responsible for purchasing laboratory consumables and minor equipment to an agreed budget by placing orders through the University's financial system (CUFS), checking supplies and specifications with end users, resolving issues with suppliers and requesting quotes.
As this role interacts with academics, research staff and students, strong communication skills are essential with an aptitude for identifying technical support needs and resolving problems quickly. The role holder will also support our Department Safety Officer to ensure that health and safety procedures are observed at all times.
The role is based in the Department of Genetics but requires some movement between other local Departments when setting up practical classes in shared teaching facilities. Therefore, short periods of physically strenuous activity will also be required.
The position is offered on a permanent basis, subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probation period. This is a part-time role working 22 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
For informal enquiries about the role please contact Amie Baker, aew47@cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PC45063 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.
