Post-Doctoral Research Associate

University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Edinburgh is seeking a post-doctoral fellow to advance cutting-edge research in genome surgery targeting rare respiratory diseases. This full-time role offers an opportunity to engage deeply in collaborative projects, utilizing expertise in genome editing and cellular models in a supportive and innovative environment.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Competitive pension schemes

Staff discounts

Family-friendly initiatives

Qualifications

• Expertise in genome editing or genetic therapies.
• Experience in primary cell culture or disease models.
• Strong molecular biology skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop 'genome surgery' approaches to correct patient-modelled variants.
• Work collaboratively within a research team focused on rare respiratory diseases.
• Contribute to the Centre for Rare Respiratory Diseases.

Skills

Molecular biology

Genetics

Genomics

Biochemistry

Genome editing

Genetic therapies

Primary cell culture

Disease models

Interpersonal skills

Education

PhD or equivalent in relevant scientific discipline

Job description

Job Description

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a post-doctoral fellow to develop 'genome surgery' approaches to correct patient-modelled variants in cell-based and in vivo models as part of our recently launched LifeArc Centre for Rare Respiratory Diseases. We are looking for someone to join our team with expertise in genome editing or gene therapeutics that shares our bold ambition to target rare respiratory diseases at their root cause.

This post is fixed-term (for 48 months) and full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns.

The salary for this post is at Grade UE07: £40,497 to £48,149 per annum pro-rata if part-time.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. Molecular biology, Genetics, Genomics, Biochemistry).
• Expertise in genome editing or genetic therapies.
• Experience in primary cell culture or disease models.
• Strong molecular biology skills.
• Experience working collaboratively and good interpersonal skills.

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Application Information

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Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

- CV

- Cover letter

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• A dynamic, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be a part of our UK-wide rare respiratory disease community working closely with researchers, clinical care teams and patients.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page(opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages(opens new browser tab).

The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office's English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa. Please note if the role is offered on a part-time basis, it may result in sponsorship being dependent on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant or the role no longer meeting the Home Office's criteria for sponsorship.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 7th July 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Interviews will be held the week commencing 14th July 2025.

About Us

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow's greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.

About the Team

A deep understanding of human genome function - particularly for the non-coding genome - is an outstanding grand challenge. Our mission is to discover how our genome controls the function of molecules, cells and tissues, in health and disease, connecting human genetic variation to phenotype.

Multidisciplinary HGU research programs embrace genetic, computational, biochemical, cellular, model organism and clinical approaches, to gain meaningful insights across scales and dynamic processes, with cross-cutting themes in 4D Cellular Medicine and Genome Interpretation.

To find out more visit https://www.ed.ac.uk/mrc-human-genetics-unit

The MRC Human Genetics Unit is part of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC). This partnership with CRUK Edinburgh Centre and Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine Centre aims to understand development and disease by using the latest developments in genetic, genomic, cellular and clinical science. The partnership provides access to state of the art scientific facilities, scientific infrastructure and business support, including on site Advanced Imaging Resource, Animal Model support, Bioinformatics Analysis Core, DNA sequencing, Flow Cytometry, Mass Spectrometry, HTPU microarray. The IGC also offers a highly collegial environment with excellent local career development support, active social, wellbeing and sustainability related groups making it a very desirable and supportive working environment.

To find out more visit https://www.igc.ac.uk