Research Associate (PDRA) in Gene Editing/Genome Engineering

University of Bristol Law School; Bristol; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Post-doctoral Research Associate for its Bristol Engineering Biology Centre. The role involves developing cutting-edge DNA and protein delivery toolkits for gene editing, collaborating with top laboratories across Europe. Applicants should be experienced in eukaryotic tissue culture and gene editing, with a passion for translating research into clinical applications. This is a full-time position with a salary ranging from £38,249 to £44,128 per annum.

Qualifications

• Experience in synthetic biology and genome engineering.
• Keen interest in method development and translation.
• Independence and resourcefulness in basic research.

Responsibilities

• Drive world-class synthetic biology research.
• Develop next-generation DNA and protein delivery toolkits.
• Collaborate with international research teams.

Skills

Team player

Experience with eukaryotic tissue culture

Cell biology techniques

Gene editing

Job description

The role

The Berger team is seeking to fill a Post-doctoral Research Associate position at the Bristol Engineering Biology Centre and Max Planck Bristol Centre, University of Bristol, UK. You will drive world-class synthetic biology research to develop and roll out new DNA and protein delivery toolkits for gene editing towards clinical applications to treat human genetic diseases.

You will work closely with international collaborators at Max Planck Institutes in Germany and top laboratories in the UK, France, and Sweden.

You will be part of a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable research environment in a laboratory that develops and applies cutting-edge technology to generate new knowledge and biological insights at a top 10 UK university, in one of the best cities to live in the UK.

What will you be doing?

Within a cohort of future leaders at the Bristol Engineering Biology Centre (BrisEngBio), at the interface of synthetic biology and translational science, you will be part of a cutting-edge research team developing and deploying next-generation DNA and protein delivery toolkits for gene editing and genome engineering. You will work with a high degree of independence to drive an ambitious research program aimed at maximizing genome engineering efficacy towards Gene Therapy 2.0. You will collaborate with world-class teams across the UK and Europe. For more information about the Berger lab and our research activities, please visit:

• Imre Berger LinkedIn
• Google Scholar Profile
• Max Planck Bristol Centre

You should apply if

• You enjoy working on cutting-edge projects in synthetic biology and genome engineering.
• You are a dedicated team player in an international, diverse, and equitable team.
• You have a keen interest in method development for gene editing and genome engineering and their translation.
• You are independent and resourceful, excited about basic research and its translation.
• You have experience with eukaryotic tissue culture, cell biology techniques, and gene editing.

Additional information

For informal enquiries, please contact Imre Berger ([e-mail]) and Francesco Aulicino ([e-mail]).

Contract type: Open-ended (Fixed funding for 3 years)

Work pattern: Full-time

Grade: I

Salary: £38,249 - £44,128 per annum

School/Unit: Biochemistry

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday, 20th August 2025.

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030, tying together our mission, vision, and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We seek to attract, develop, and retain individuals with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives—particularly people of color, LGBT+, and disabled people—because diversity of people and ideas is vital to our excellence as a global civic institution.