Research Technician

University of Dundee; Dundee; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Research Technician for a one-year fixed-term contract in their renowned research unit. The role involves performing protein expression and purification, maintaining cell cultures, and supporting various molecular biology projects. Ideal candidates will have experience in sterile environments and recombinant protein techniques, along with strong communication skills. This position offers the chance to join a collaborative team and contribute to cutting-edge research in a dynamic laboratory environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in sterile technique and working in controlled laboratory environments.
• Hands-on expertise in recombinant protein expression and purification in bacterial and/or insect systems.
• Strong communication skills and excellent attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Performing recombinant protein expression and purification in bacterial and insect cell systems.
• Maintaining cell line cultures and supporting molecular and cell biology projects.
• Preparing, organising, and maintaining laboratory reagents, equipment, and resources.
• Supporting and independently performing biochemical assays and protein biochemistry projects.
• Contributing to laboratory organisation and ensuring compliance with health and safety SOP.

Job description

Posted on 29 January 2026 | Reference: UOD2122

Unit: MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit Contract type: Fixed-Term / Full-time

Overview

The MRC PPU is one of the world's most renowned centres for research on protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation. The major aims of the MRC PPU are to advance understanding of the role of protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation in cell regulation and human disease, to facilitate the development of drugs to treat diseases caused by abnormalities in phosphorylation, to generate reagents and improve technologies. A key remit of the MRC PPU is to train the next generation of scientists who will advance our understanding in this crucial area of medical research.

The MRC PPU is based within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, a world-class academic institution with a reputation for the excellence of its research, its high-quality teaching and student experience, and the strong impact of its activities outside academia. With 900 staff from over 60 countries worldwide the School provides a dynamic, multi-national, collegiate and diverse environment with state-of-the-art laboratory, technology and teaching facilities.

The Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) was established in 1998. This division operates as a unique collaboration between scientists in the MRC PPU and signalling researchers at the University of Dundee's School of Life Sciences and the pharmaceutical industry. The DSTT is widely regarded as a model for how academia should interact with industry. The DSTT operates as a simple bridging mechanism to enable our PIs working on ubiquitylation and phosphorylation to effectively interact with major pharmaceutical companies to help accelerate the early stages of drug discovery.

Responsibilities

We are recruiting an exceptional Research Technician to join the De Cesare Laboratory Group, providing essential support to our research programme through expertise in molecular biology and protein expression and purification. This is a fixed-term appointment for 1 year.

Your priorities will include:

• Performing recombinant protein expression and purification in bacterial and insect cell systems
• Maintaining cell line cultures and supporting molecular and cell biology projects
• Preparing, organising, and maintaining laboratory reagents, equipment, and resources
• Supporting and independently performing biochemical assays and protein biochemistry projects
• Contributing to laboratory organisation and ensuring compliance with health and safety SOP

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and skilled technician who enjoys hands-on laboratory work and wants to contribute to cutting-edge research in a world leading research environment. The successful candidate will join a supportive, collaborative team, benefit from excellent training opportunities, and gain experience with advanced technologies and methodologies used across the MRC PPU.

Qualifications

Your experience should align with:

• A proactive, well-organised approach to managing tasks and laboratory workflows
• Demonstrated experience in sterile technique and working in controlled laboratory environments
• Hands-on expertise in recombinant protein expression and purification in bacterial and/or insect systems
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative team projects
• Strong communication skills and excellent attention to detail

We are one of the UK's leading universities, internationally recognised for our expertise across a range of disciplines and research breakthroughs in multiple areas, including science, medicine and engineering, amongst many others. Our purpose is to transform lives, locally and globally, which we do as a community of staff (Professional Services and academic Schools), students and alumni. Professional Services directorates are key to delivering the University strategy and driving change across the University.

For further information about this position please contact Virginia De Cesare at [emailprotected]. To find out more about MRC PPU please visit https://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/ and De Cesare laboratory webpage https://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/research/principal-investigator/virginia-de-cesare

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Thursday, 12 February 2026, 23:59

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