Post-doctoral Research Associate

About the role

A morphogen is a special class of signalling molecule that acts during embryonic development to generate a variety of cell states. In response to distinct threshold levels of morphogen signalling, cells follow different fates and form different structures. Therefore, within a given territory, a single morphogen can generate multiple outcomes.

This project will experimentally study how morphogens work and, more specifically, how their activity can be modulated during embryonic development to shape anatomical structures. This is an issue important for evolution of morphological diversity across different species and understanding the origins of congenital birth defects.

Are you allergic to egg? In this project, using the chick embryo model, will create experimental situations in which cells of the limb bud are exposed to low, intermediate, or high physiological levels of the morphogen, SHH, and modulate the length of time cells are exposed to these levels of signalling. As such this role would not be compatible for someone who has an egg allergy.

This is a full-time (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed-term contract until 30/06/2028, starting no sooner that 1st July 2025.

This is a laboratory-based role and as such it needs to be performed on site.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• PhD in relevant subject area such as Developmental Biology, Anatomy, or a related field *
• BSc/MSc in relevant subject area such as Developmental Biology, Anatomy, or a related field
• Worked in a research lab environment full time for at least 3 years
• Proven experience and competence in a wide range of techniques used to study developmental biology or related fields
• Evidence of ability to communicate findings both verbally and in presentations to other scientists, the funders and the public in English
• Proven ability to keep accurate records and write to a high standard in English

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6. 

Desirable criteria 

• An author on at least one publication in an international, peer-reviewed journal
• Clear interest in and knowledge of current understanding of vertebrate development
• Knowledge of use of chick as a model system
• Knowledge of limb development and evolution  

Further Information

We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘ How we Recruit’ pages.

Interviews are due to be held in July.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearances.

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