Research Associate (Wang Group) (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Cambridge, CRUK Cambridge Institute, and the Wang Group are seeking an experienced Research Associate to develop and apply imaging and epigenomic methods. The position focuses on understanding gene regulation and oncogene amplification in cancer models, with potential work on ecDNA and intratumour heterogeneity.

The role offers opportunities to design experiments, build analyses pipelines, and contribute to publications, while mentoring junior researchers in a fast-paced,

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate and benchmark new imaging or sequencing methods, including probe or assay design, optimisation against reference standards, and documentation sufficient for others to use them.
• Apply advanced microscopy and/or epigenomic sequencing to questions of oncogene amplification, extrachromosomal DNA and gene-regulatory organisation in cancer models.
• Build and maintain analysis pipelines for large imaging or sequencing datasets, using institutional high-performance computing or cloud resources.
• Work with the Group Leader to formulate hypotheses and design experiments, and take the lead on interpretation and write-up of your own projects.
• Present findings at group meetings, Institute seminars and international conferences, and draft manuscripts for publication.
• Contribute to the day-to-day running of the laboratory, including equipment upkeep, protocol documentation and supply ordering.
• Train and mentor research assistants and students in the techniques and analyses within your area of expertise.

Job description

Join us at the world-leading CRUK Cambridge Institute. We're a unique department of the University of Cambridge, core funded by Cancer Research UK's charitable activities, and we're eagerly searching for an experienced Research Associate to join our Wang Group.

The Wang Group develops and applies cutting-edge imaging and sequencing methods to bridge the gap between high resolution microscopy and genome-wide discovery. Our research program is focused on creating a quantitative, multi-scale understanding of the cell to reveal fundamental principles linking molecular-level organisation to cellular functions and pathological states.

We seek an experienced, organised and collaborative individual for this postdoctoral role. This post focuses on developing and applying imaging and epigenomic methods to understand how gene regulation is reorganised in cancer cells, with particular emphasis on extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) as a driver of oncogene amplification, intratumour heterogeneity and therapy resistance. Depending on your background, the balance of the role may lean towards advanced microscopy, towards sequencing-based epigenomics, or towards the computational integration of the two; we welcome applications from candidates whose strengths lie in any of these areas, and the project will be shaped around them. Mechanistic findings will be tested in cell-line, organoid and patient-derived models and, where appropriate, in primary clinical specimens.

What you will do in this post:

• Develop, validate and benchmark new imaging or sequencing methods, including probe or assay design, optimisation against reference standards, and documentation sufficient for others to use them.
• Apply advanced microscopy and/or epigenomic sequencing to questions of oncogene amplification, extrachromosomal DNA and gene-regulatory organisation in cancer models.
• Build and maintain analysis pipelines for large imaging or sequencing datasets, using institutional high-performance computing or cloud resources.
• Work with the Group Leader to formulate hypotheses and design experiments, and take the lead on interpretation and write-up of your own projects.
• Present findings at group meetings, Institute seminars and international conferences, and draft manuscripts for publication.
• Contribute to the day-to-day running of the laboratory, including equipment upkeep, protocol documentation and supply ordering.
• Train and mentor research assistants and students in the techniques and analyses within your area of expertise.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 year in the first instance.

If you have any queries regarding the application process or queries relating to the role, please contact: [e-mail]

Please quote reference SW50974 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.