Postdoctoral Research Associate in Molecular and cellular biology of mitochondrial disease models (Fixed Term)

mitochondrial disease models (Fixed Term)

Postdoctoral Research Associate Molecular and cellular biology of mitochondrial disease models

The University of Cambridge wishes to appoint a talented postdoctoral research associate to join the research groups of Prof Patrick Chinnery, Prof Rita Horvath and Dr Jelle van den Ameele at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the John Van Geest Brain Repair Centre.

The position is part of a collaborative Wellcome Discovery Award, to characterise novel cellular models of mitochondrial disease, and use single- cell forward genetic screening approaches to characterise novel nuclear modifiers of disease progression. The focus of your work will be on studying how nuclear and mitochondrial DNA defects lead to tissue specific clinical presentations.

You will use cutting-edge technologies, including functional studies on neuronal and muscle stem cells and human organoids. RNA sequencing and other omics technologies will be performed to identify the molecular mechanism of mitochondrial diseases and other rare neurological diseases in children and adults. The over-arching aim of the research group is to develop new treatments for mitochondrial diseases and other inherited rare neuromuscular diseases using a combination of genomic, cell biology and specialized mitochondrial assays. You will have access to a team of experienced bioinformaticians, but have the opportunity to be trained and perform independent in-depth bioinformatic analysis of large single-cell datasets. You will have access to clinical samples from the MitoCamb neurogenetics clinic, to apply and translate novel technology and insights towards a human disease context.

The team publishes high-profile publications including: Cell 2023 PMID36827974; Nature Commun 2023 PMID36823193; Nature 2022 PMID36198798; Nature Commun 2022 PMID35468895; Brain 2022 PMID 34791078; Nature Genetics 2021 PMID34002094; Nature Medicine 2021 PMID34426706; EMBO J 2020 PMID33128823; eLife 2019 PMID31513013; Science 2019 PMID31123110.

Candidates are expected to be independent, highly motivated, and keen to work collaboratively with wet-lab and computational biologists within and outside the research groups. In addition to their own research, there will be opportunities for training and career development, and supervision of junior researchers.

The role will be located within the John Van Geest Brain Repair Centre on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, with state-of-the-art facilities available to group members.

The lab and the wider University of Cambridge are committed, in their pursuit of academic and research excellence, to a pro-active and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. Flexible working will be considered.

Lab websites: John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair: https: // www- neurosciences.medschl.cam.ac.uk/ Cambridge Clinical Mitochondrial Research team: https: // www-neurosciences.medschl.cam.ac.uk/mitocamb/

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 24 months (2 years) in the first instance, with the possibility of extending beyond this.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Please quote reference ZE41414 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.

Department of Clinical Neurosciences

£36,024-£44,263

ZE41414

Research

23 April 2024

5 May 2024