Research Assistant/Associate (Fixed Term)

Instruct-ERIC; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Cambridge invites applications for a Research Associate to join the laboratory of Dr Aakash G. Mukhopadhyay in the Division of Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Pathology.

The project uses integrative approaches including cryo-EM and tomography to study ciliary function in divergent eukaryotic pathogens. Applicants should hold a PhD in Structural Biology or related field with biochemistry and cryo-EM/ET experience and first-author publications.

Qualifications

• PhD in Structural Biology or related field is required (or near completion).
• Experience in biochemistry (recombinant protein expression and purification).
• Experience with cryo-EM/ET and first-author publications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive research objectives in the lab of Dr Aakash G. Mukhopadhyay.
• Perform cryo-EM/ET experiments, in vitro reconstitution, and genome editing as needed.
• Present and write up results for publication and grant applications.

Job description

Jobs in Structural Biology and Related Fields

Research Assistant/Associate (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

We wish to recruit a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the laboratory of Dr Aakash G. Mukhopadhyay within the Division of Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge. The successful applicant will use integrative approaches including in vitro reconstitution, cryo-electron microscopy and tomography (cryo-EM/ET), genome editing and live-cell imaging to uncover the molecular mechanisms governing ciliary function and evolution in divergent eukaryotic pathogens.

Applicants should hold PhD, or be close to completion of PhD in Structural Biology or a related subject. You should have experience in biochemistry (recombinant protein expression and purification) and structural biology (cryo-EM/ET) and relevant experience demonstrated by first author publications in peer-reviewed journals. The ability to work both independently and as part of a team, coupled with excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills is required. Other duties/responsibilities include developing and driving research objectives and writing up work for presentation and publication.

Fixed-term: The post is available for two years in the first instance starting 04 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter and subject to a 6-month probationary period.

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

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV; maximum 2 pages), a motivation letter (2 pages) detailing project and career development plans and include a publications list in the upload section of the online application. Please provide contact details, including an email address of two referees. At least one of your referees should be someone who is familiar with your work in your primary research field. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Appointment at the Research Associate level is dependent on the award of a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at the Research Assistant level, Grade 5 (£34,610-£35,608), which will be amended to Research Associate, Grade 7 (£37,694-£46,049) once the award of the PhD has been confirmed.

We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our Department.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Dr Aakash Mukhopadhyay Email: [e-mail] If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the HR team on [e-mail]

Please quote reference PK50459 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Deadline for applications is 27 August 2026