Research Assistant Ref: 43971 (Fixed Term)

Brighton and Sussex Medical School; Brighton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Brighton and Sussex Medical School is seeking a Research Assistant to support a chromatin and genome integrity project. You will perform molecular and cellular biology techniques, generate high-quality data and help maintain the laboratory infrastructure.

The role requires hands-on CRISPR/Cas9 and/or Cas12 experience, including Benchling guide design, DNA cloning, and transfection of mammalian cells. Strong documentation and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant biological science discipline or equivalent research experience.
• Hands-on experience with genome editing and molecular biology techniques.
• Practical experience using CRISPR/Cas9 and/or CRISPR/Cas12 systems, including guide RNA design using Benchling.
• Experience with DNA cloning, plasmid construction, mammalian cell transfection, and assessment of genome editing efficiency using TIDE analysis.
• Experience with Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, microscopy, and image analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform a range of molecular and cell biology techniques to support the research programme.
• Generate high-quality experimental data and maintain day-to-day laboratory operations.
• Troubleshoot experiments and share technical expertise across the team.
• Contribute to development of new laboratory capabilities and shared tools.
• Prepare protocols, reports and presentations to support scientific outputs.

Skills

CRISPR/Cas9/Cas12

Genome editing

Molecular biology

Western blotting

Immunofluorescence

Microscopy

TIDE analysis

Mammalian cell transfection

Guide RNA design

DNA cloning

Image analysis

Education

Degree in a relevant biological science

Tools

Benchling

Job description

Research Assistant Ref: 43971 (Fixed Term)

Location

Brighton, UK

Hours

Full-time considered up to a maximum of 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours) Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).

Grade 6 starting at £34,610 to £38,784 per annum, pro rata if part time.

Contract Type

Fixed Term Contract

About the role

As a Research Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting an active research programme investigating how chromatin regulates genome integrity and DNA repair fidelity after genome editing. Working as part of a collaborative laboratory, you will contribute to a dedicated research project while also developing and maintaining shared research tools, reagents, and engineered cell lines that underpin multiple projects across the group.

You will perform a range of molecular and cell biology techniques, generate high-quality experimental data, and help maintain the smooth day-to-day running of the laboratory through organisation, record keeping, and resource management. Working closely with colleagues, you will troubleshoot experiments, share technical expertise, and contribute to the development of new laboratory capabilities.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive and innovative research environment where your work will directly contribute to advancing our understanding of genome stability. You will have the opportunity to develop your technical skills, collaborate with experienced researchers, and contribute to scientific outputs, including protocols, reports, and presentations.

About you

We are looking for a highly motivated, organised, and collaborative Research Assistant with a strong background in molecular and cell biology. You will ideally hold a degree in a relevant biological science discipline (or have equivalent research experience) and have hands‑on experience with genome editing and molecular biology techniques.

The successful candidate will have practical experience using CRISPR/Cas9 and/or CRISPR/Cas12 genome editing systems, including guide RNA design using Benchling, DNA cloning, plasmid construction, mammalian cell transfection, and assessment of genome editing efficiency using TIDE analysis. Experience with Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, microscopy, and image analysis is also essential.

You will be able to manage your own workload while contributing effectively to shared laboratory resources and supporting colleagues across multiple research projects. Excellent organisational skills are essential, with experience maintaining accurate laboratory records, databases, and inventories. You will be a proactive problem solver with strong attention to detail, committed to producing high-quality research and maintaining laboratory standards, including health and safety compliance.

Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential, as you will work closely with researchers across the laboratory, contribute to scientific discussions, and assist with the preparation of protocols, reports, and presentations.

About our School

In the School of Life Sciences we strive to understand the mechanisms that drive biological and chemical processes and to develop innovative and diverse approaches to enhance human health, technology and the environment. We undertake multidisciplinary research, teaching and engagement across a wide range of subjects, from Chemistry through Cellular and Molecular Biosciences to Conservation Biology.

The School comprises five Departments: Biochemistry & Biomedicine, Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Neuroscience, Ecology & Evolution and Chemistry. We also house the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre which works to deliver the bench‑to‑bedside translation of our discoveries. The breadth and depth of our cutting‑edge research and innovative teaching practice is delivered by a diverse community who work across boundaries to deliver excellence, engage with real world problems and produce impact.

We pride ourselves on our world‑leading research and have a strong research economy, with approximately 50% of our income stemming from research and an active grant portfolio of over £50 million. We host or form part of three University Centres of Excellence : the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Sussex Neuroscience and Sussex Sustainability Research Programme. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 90.6 % of our Biological Sciences outputs and 84.8% of our Chemistry outputs were rated as world‑leading or internationally excellent. We are proud that in both areas, 100% of our Impact cases were rated as world‑leading or internationally excellent.

The School is committed to the University’s core values of kindness, integrity, inclusion, collaboration and courage. We believe that equality, diversity and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility and aim to provide a friendly and supportive environment for all who work, study and visit the School of Life Sciences.

The School of Life Sciences is proud to hold a Silver Athena Swan Award.

Why work here

Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five‑minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.

Sussex is a renowned, multi‑accredited, research‑led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.

The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under‑represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Visa Sponsorship Queries:This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. The assigned SOC code is2119and the going rate is£41,500. Eligibility for sponsorship will depend onthesalary offered, whether a candidate can make use oftradeable points to meet the salary offered and/or whether the candidate holds an existing Skilled Worker sponsorship which began before 4 April 2024.
If the successful candidate requires a sponsored visa for this role, they may need to obtain ATAS clearance prior to the employment start date.

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.