Research Associate

The University of Cambridge wishes to appoint a talented postdoctoral scientist with experience in bioinformatics and single-cell processing to join the research groups of Prof Patrick Chinnery and Dr Jelle van den Ameele at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit.

The post holder will lead an exciting project within the collaborative MRC MitoCluster of the MRC National Mouse Genetics Network (https://nmgn.mrc.ukri.org). The focus of your project will be to use and generate single-cell data-sets from novel mouse models of mitochondrial disease. You will shed light on how heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations change over time in somatic tissues, during development and aging.

You will use innovative single-cell combined RNA- and ATAC-sequencing, DamIDseq-based chromatin profiling, develop novel library prep and targeted enrichment protocols, and apply these in different mouse strains with novel mtDNA mutations generated by the group of Michal Minczuk (MRC MBU). You will have the opportunity to generate cell lines from these mouse strains, and perform forward genetic screening using single-cell CRISPR/Cas9 technology.

You will work together with a team of experienced bioinformaticians and computational biologists and have unique access to clinical samples, from a range of experimental and publicly available datasets (long-and short-read, multi-omics) to apply and translate leading genomic technologies and insights towards a human disease context.

You will drive the project within the laboratory, together with both group leaders and in close interaction with other members of the MRC MitoCluster. You will assist in supervision of junior lab members. You will be encouraged to apply for external funding and receive support to undertake further training and career development. Candidates are expected to be independent, highly motivated, and keen to work collaboratively with internal and external scientists. You will demonstrate core values of the labs, which include enthusiasm, openness and integrity.

Appointment will be full-time; three years in the first instance. The position offers a competitive salary and enjoys the diverse and highly interactive research environment of the world-renowned Mitochondrial Biology Unit and Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, and the broad network of the MRC NMGN collaborators.

The lab and the wider University of Cambridge are committed, in their pursuit of academic and research excellence, to a pro-active and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. Flexible working and working from home arrangements are available. The University particularly encourages women and candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to apply.

Lab websites:

MRC MBU Research groups: https://www.mrc-mbu.cam.ac.uk/research-groups 

Cambridge Clinical Mitochondrial Research team: https://www-neurosciences.medschl.cam.ac.uk/mitocamb/ 

MRC MitoCluster: https://nmgn.mrc.ukri.org/clusters/mitochondria/

You must have a PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics or a related field.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment and a security check.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these.

Please include details of your referees (email address and phone number) one of which must be your most recent line manager.

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