Research Associate in Developmental Biology

University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK seeks a Research Associate to join a project on embryonic limb development. Candidates should hold a PhD in developmental biology and have practical experience in embryology. The role involves designing innovative experiments and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. The University offers competitive benefits and is committed to flexible working arrangements and diversity.

Benefits

Highly competitive annual leave entitlement

Generous pensions scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Retail discounts

Qualifications

• Must have a PhD or equivalent in developmental biology.
• Experience with experimental design in a research setting.
• Ability to work independently and supervise students.

Responsibilities

• Lead a research programme on chick limb skeletal patterning.
• Design and implement innovative experiments.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary research team.

Skills

Practical experience in embryology

Light-sheet/confocal microscopy

RNA/ATAC-sequencing

Bioinformatics

Excellent interpersonal skills

Written communication skills

High standard of work

Education

PhD in developmental biology or equivalent postdoctoral experience

Job description

University of Sheffield

Are you an ambitious and creative developmental biologist who enjoys designing innovative experiments and working collaboratively? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join Dr Matt Towers’s research group as a Research Associate, contributing to a new BBSRC-funded project investigating how skeletal patterning is specified during embryonic limb development.

You will take a leading role in a three-year research programme exploring how skeletal pattern is specified in chick limbs, using cutting‑edge developmental, imaging and genomic approaches. Working closely with an experienced multidisciplinary team—including senior scientists, a senior technician and PhD students—you will design and implement experiments using complementary systems, including our new chick wing tissue explant system, and catshark embryos to test evolutionary predictions.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your independence as a researcher, supervise students, and build international collaborations while contributing to high‑impact developmental biology.

About You

You will be motivated by understanding fundamental mechanisms of embryogenesis and excited to work at the interface of developmental and evolutionary biology. Applicants must hold a PhD (or be close to completion/have equivalent postdoctoral experience) in areas related to developmental biology. Practical experience in embryology and a good theoretical knowledge of developmental biology is essential. Experience in light‑sheet/confocal microscopy, HCR in situ techniques, RNA/ATAC‑sequencing and bioinformatics is desirable. The successful candidate will be expected to have excellent interpersonal, written and communication skills, and be able to work to a high standard.

If you are passionate about developmental biology and eager to push the boundaries of experimental embryology, we would love to hear from you.

What We Offer

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university. We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Flexible Working

We are committed to exploring flexible working opportunities that benefit you and the University.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talents and contributions complement each other. We believe that diversity in all its forms drives excellence in research, teaching and the student experience.