

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Bioengineering (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Bioengineering to join an international team in the Department of Genetics in central Cambridge.
The project will explore the connection between metabolism, biomechanics and signalling during axis specification in vertebrate embryos. It will make use of a combination of zebrafish embryos and explants, as well as embryonic organoids derived from mouse embryonic stem cells. We are looking for a highly motivated and well-organised person, with a PhD in Developmental Biology.
Specific experience required:
- Use of zebrafish for developmental genetics studies.
- Mammalian cell and organoid culture.
- Essential molecular biology techniques of developmental genetics.
- Mechanobiology such as laser ablation and the use of synthetic hydrogels.
- Proficient in the application of both confocal and electron microscopy to study biological organization and multiple scales.
- Quantitative image processing and analysis, combining tools such as ImageJ, Napari, EpiTools, IMARIS, Ilastik.
- Skilled in the use of programming languages including R and Matlab.
- Experience in mathematical modelling, bioinformatic analysis and data base development.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. We particularly encourage women and candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to apply for this vacancy.
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 and should be direct to Dr Ben Steventon bjs57@cam.ac.uk
For further details on the Group's research, please visit https://steventonlab.wordpress.com/
Please quote reference PC38382 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration to join an international team in the Department of Genetics in central Cambridge. The project is led by Dr Ben Steventon and is aimed towards understanding how the peripheral nervous system regenerates upon injury.
The project will involve experiments in zebrafish larvae to follow events after multi-photon ablation of the lateral line, combined with the development of compartmentalized mammalian and induced human cell co-culture experiments to mimic axonal and glial interactions in vitro. There will also be the opportunity to data mine bulk and single nuclei RNA sequencing datasets to identify novel molecular targets to test in the above models. We are looking for a highly motivated and well-organised person, with a PhD in Developmental Biology.
Specific experience required:
- Advanced imaging technologies including multi-photon for precise tissue ablation of the zebrafish lateral line.
- Experience in the generation and maintenance of zebrafish lines to follow lateral line development in vivo.
- Experience in the use of primary mouse and induced human dorsal root ganglia and Schwann cell compartmentalized co-culture methods to follow axonal-glial interaction in vitro.
- Experience in the use of HCR to study gene expression at the single cell level.
Specific experience desired:
- Experience in bioinformatic analysis of bulk and single nuclei RNA Seq data.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 year in the first instance.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. We particularly encourage women and candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to apply for this vacancy.
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 and should be direct to Dr Ben Steventon bjs57@cam.ac.uk
For further details on the Group's research, please visit https://steventonlab.wordpress.com/
Please quote reference PC38361 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Zebrafish Imaging (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Zebrafish Imaging to join an international team in the Department of Genetics in central Cambridge.
The project is led by Dr Ben Steventon and is aimed towards understanding the interplay of cell movements, multi-tissue morphogenesis and gene expression during the regeneration of the posterior body axis upon progenitor ablation in the tailbud. The project will involve experiments tracking tissue level morphometric changes, cell movements in 3D and gene expression changes at the single cell level. We are looking for a highly motivated and well-organised person, with a PhD in Developmental Biology.
Specific experience required:
- Advanced imaging technologies including multi-photon for precise tissue ablation in the tailbud and the use of a Zeiss lattice light-sheet microscope.
- Use of Napari based image analysis, as well as Mammut in Fiji to track cell movements in 3D.
- Experience working with zebrafish embryos as a model for posterior body elongation.
- Experience using HCR to study gene expression at the single cell level.
- Methods to quantify tissue shape changes during development.
- Experience in the development of novel 3D registration tools with applied to zebrafish development.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 year in the first instance.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. We particularly encourage women and candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to apply for this vacancy.
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 and should be direct to Dr Ben Steventon bjs57@cam.ac.uk
For further details on the Group's research, please visit https://steventonlab.wordpress.com/
Please quote reference PC38362 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Research Grants Coordinator
The Department of Genetics is seeking to appoint a Research Grants Coordinator to join our friendly and vibrant Professional Services team.
This is a key role within the Department, responsible for supporting all areas of the research grant application process and post award budgeting, calculations and reporting. In addition, a small portion of the post provides PA services to the Al Kindi Professor of Genetics.
The position would suit someone numerate, well-organised, reliable and self-motivated who uses initiative to manage competing priorities and ensures key deadlines are met. Confidence and professionalism when communicating with academics from across the Department is essential, coupled with a keen eye for detail. You will also need to be skilled at recording and sharing information accurately and appropriately.
The successful applicant will need to demonstrate an aptitude for budgeting and working with financial information, they should have good IT skills and the ability to learn University systems and processes quickly.
Applicants should be qualified to 'A' level standard or equivalent with existing University administration experience or relevant transferable skills. We are looking for someone who works well under pressure and enjoys working to deadlines in this varied and interesting role.
This is a full time, permanent position.
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, Casey Mein, Departmental Administrator at genda@gen.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PC37923 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)
Applications are invited for a Research Assistant position in the Group of Dr Erik Clark at the Department of Genetics in central Cambridge. We are looking for a reliable, well-organised, and friendly person, with a first degree in biology (or related subject), and some relevant laboratory experience. The position is funded by the Wellcome Trust and is available for two years in the first instance.
The successful applicant will join a collaborative interdisciplinary research team investigating the robust and flexible patterning of the early Drosophila embryo through a combination of experiment and theory. Their primary role will be to contribute to the experimental aspects of the project; this will involve Drosophila genetics, molecular biology and confocal microscopy, as well as active participation in lab meetings and discussions. They will also assist with general lab management (e.g. ordering reagents, maintaining inventories), and will eventually take a lead role in transferring knowledge of lab protocols and organisation to new members of the lab.
The ideal applicant will be comfortable and capable in a laboratory environment, with good communication and teamwork skills, and experience in maintaining a lab notebook and collecting/managing data. Previous experience with Drosophila (e.g. maintaining cultures, executing genetic crosses, collecting and fixing embryos), molecular biology (e.g. cloning, in situ hybridisation), and/or imaging (e.g. confocal microscopy of fixed or live samples, basic use of FIJI/ImageJ) is desirable, although full training will be provided by the PI.
We will provide the successful applicant with a supportive and stimulating research network, full recognition through authorship on publications and opportunities to present their work in public, and a tailored program of continuing professional development. This is an ideal opportunity for a motivated scientist wishing to develop their research skills within a world-class research environment.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.
We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our University.
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 and should be directed to Dr Erik Clark: ec491@cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PC37849 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 Mammalian Epigenetics (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for a Research Assistant position working in the Group of Dr Michael Imbeault at the Department of Genetics in central Cambridge.
This is a varied and interesting role supporting research on the mechanisms through which transposable elements and their epigenetic controllers participate in the evolution of gene regulatory networks of primates and mammals. This is an ideal opportunity for a motivated scientist wishing to develop their research skills in mammalian epigenetics within a world-class research environment.
The successful applicant will be responsible for carrying out laboratory-based tasks supporting research for projects linked to pancreas development and inflammation. The ideal applicant will be comfortable using techniques such as cell culture, lentiviral vector production, molecular cloning, genetic and epigenetic manipulation of cells using CRISPR/Cas9, chromatin immunoprecipitation and NGS library preparation (training will be provided where necessary).
The duties of the role will include:
General laboratory management (ordering equipment, instrument calibration, sample/reagent inventories, etc.)
Assisting in the training of students and other members of the laboratory
Providing technical support for a variety of research projects
Ensuring research is carried out in accordance with good practice and in compliance with local polices and legal requirements
Developing and validating new protocols
Contributing to laboratory-wide discussions on developments within the field
Using an electronic lab book to carefully record own lab work
There will also be the opportunity to lead your own sub-project (subject to level of skills and experience).
This is an important role for the group requiring someone who is well organised with good communication skills and the ability to work well with staff and students at all levels.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2027 in the first instance.
We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our University.
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 and should be directed to Dr Michael Imbeault mi339@cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PC37634 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)
Applications are invited for a fixed-term Research Assistant position to start as soon as possible, working in the group of Professor Richard Durbin at the Department of Genetics in central Cambridge. The role will focus on studies in genetic diversity and species boundaries.
The successful candidate will work on two related research areas. Firstly, they will carry out structural and population genetic analyses using whole genome sequence data to understand the genetic basis underlying the small ermine moth (Yponomeuta) radiation. This will extend pilot work on a smaller dataset, using new data on a much larger sample to characterise species relationships and identify genetic elements involved in host plant preference. The role holder will be responsible for supporting this research and contributing to an initial publication on this work, under the supervision of Professor Durbin.
Additionally, the candidate will play a key role in building a partnership between Wicken Fen Nature Reserve and the Darwin Tree of Life programme https://www.darwintreeoflife.org/. This involves leading parties sampling of specified species for genome sequencing to enable full taxonomic coverage of the British Isles. This requires liaising between natural history experts, the wider community, the National Trust, and genome scientists, also providing personal taxonomic knowledge in relevant taxa (vascular plants, lepidoptera, etc).
Applicants should be educated to first degree level in a relevant scientific discipline, with a Masters in Biological Science preferred. They should have prior experience in evolutionary genetic analysis of large scale genome sequence data analysis, if possible using the Yponomeuta system, and in field ecology. Prior experience in programming with Bash, and R or Python would also be advantageous, however training will be provided where necessary.
The successful applicant should be able to demonstrate effective independent research skills and be confident at presenting research findings to different audiences. It is expected that the Research Assistant will make a valuable contribution to the wider research group and actively take part in group discussions. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to develop their skills and experience within a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.
Fixed-term: The funding for this position is available until 31st August 2024, in the first instance.
We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our University.
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 Professor Richard Durbin rd109@cam.ac.uk
Further information about research in the Durbin group can be found on our website https://www.gen.cam.ac.uk/research-groups/research-groups/durbin
Please quote reference PC37524 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.