Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow

This new full-time post is immediately available until 30 June 2026 on a fixed term basis.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Researcher to study the biology of pluripotency in the team of Prof Austin Smith. This European Research Council funded post is immediately available to 30 June 2026. Based in the interdisciplinary Living Systems Institute, the successful applicant will join a world-leading programme of investigations into the plasticity of the pluripotency network in different mammals. Applicants should be motivated by fundamental curiosity with a particular interest in early development and/or cell fate decision-making.

Mouse and human naïve pluripotent stem cells have overlapping but distinct gene regulatory networks and exhibit different direct lineage potencies. Our goal is to uncover the core gene regulatory network shared across mammalian species. Approaches will include genetic perturbations, transcriptome and chromatin analyses, and network inference. This post requires advanced skills in molecular cell genetics, ability to use basic sequencing analysis pipelines, and an interest in molecular networks.

The post will involve extensive stem cell culture experimentation including molecular reprogramming, genetic manipulation, signalling pathway manipulation, and targeted chemical and genetic screens. Transcriptomic and multimodal ‘omics analyses will be carried out in partnership with computational/bioinformatics members of the group.  

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99% of our research is of international quality and 47% is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

Further information

For further information please contact Professor Austin Smith, e-mail austin.smith@exeter.ac.uk

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