Postdoctoral Research Associate

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Edinburgh seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate focused on developing mechanistic models linking 3D gene structure to function. The successful candidate will work with polymer models and molecular simulations, engaging in collaborative research to inform models of transcription in diseases.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Competitive pension schemes

Staff discounts

Family-friendly initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience in biological physics research, ideally in polymer physics.
• Strong computational expertise, ideally including coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations.
• Experience or willingness to engage in interdisciplinary collaborative research.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of mechanistic models connecting 3D gene structure and function.
• Engage with experimental collaborators in joint projects.

Skills

Biological physics research

Computational expertise

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Planning and management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Job description

Join to apply for the Postdoctoral Research Associate role at The University of Edinburgh

4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Postdoctoral Research Associate role at The University of Edinburgh

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

The Opportunity:

The candidate will contribute to the development of new mechanistic models aiming to dissect the as-yet-elusive link between 3D gene structure and function. The successful candidate will ideally have a good experience with polymer models and coarse-grained molecular simulations, and will have experience or willingness to engage with experimental collaborators in joint projects. The results obtained in this work can be used, among other things, to inform models of transcription in disease, and understand how mutations in chromatin-associated proteins or DNA elements associated with genetic diseases and cancers affect transcription.

Job Description

The Opportunity:

The candidate will contribute to the development of new mechanistic models aiming to dissect the as-yet-elusive link between 3D gene structure and function. The successful candidate will ideally have a good experience with polymer models and coarse-grained molecular simulations, and will have experience or willingness to engage with experimental collaborators in joint projects. The results obtained in this work can be used, among other things, to inform models of transcription in disease, and understand how mutations in chromatin-associated proteins or DNA elements associated with genetic diseases and cancers affect transcription.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

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

The post is fixed-term for 18 months, if appointed by 1 st October 2025.

Your Skills And Attributes For Success

• Experience in biological physics research, ideally in polymer physics.
• Strong computational expertise, ideally including coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations.
• Experience of, or willingness to engage in, interdisciplinary collaborative research combining physics and biology.
• Strong planning and management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  
  

Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab) .

Application Information

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.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• 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.

The School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce, and eliminating discrimination.

The School strives to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace for all and we are looking to actively diversify our staff. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and in particular encourage applications from people of colour, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people and other minority and under-represented groups. We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working, as evidenced by our Juno Champion and Athena SWAN Silver awards.

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 30 th June 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 in late July or early August 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.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Internship

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Research Services

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at The University of Edinburgh by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Postdoctoral Research Associate” roles.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 days ago

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 3 days ago

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 8 hours ago

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 day ago

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 8 hours ago

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 8 hours ago

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Imaging

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 month ago

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 3 days ago

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computational Genomics

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 days ago

Postdoctoral Fellow in Health Data Science

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 3 days ago

Postdoctoral Fellow in Population and Quantitative Genomics

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 days ago

Postdoctoral Research Assistant in MicroCarb Mission

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in High-Pressure Synthesis of Energetic Materials

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 days ago

Postdoctoral Research Associate in the History of Mathematics

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Health Data Science

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 4 days ago

Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Oceanography

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Optical Attosecond Science

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biometrics for In Silico Breeding

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 3 days ago

Postdoctoral Fellow in Machine Learning Applications for Utility-Scale PV

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Research Associate / Senior Research Associate – Quantum gravity in a spin-mechanical device

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 day ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.