Research Assistant/Research Associate (Fixed Term)

The University of Cambridge and Infinitus (China) Company Limited established the Cambridge Infinitus Research Centre (CIRCE) within the Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, University of Cambridge to perform research into new biological activities associated with natural products.

With collaborators in Cambridge and other internationally ranked research establishments, the CIRCE research team uses state-of-the-art molecular biology and imaging technologies together with high-throughput screening methods to discover functional compounds and to characterise their mechanism of action at the organism, cellular, and molecular levels.

It is anticipated that this will not only yield high quality research outcomes, but may also lead to new leads for therapeutic products. The role of the post holder will be to carry out biological research activities within the CIRCE team in conjunction with other senior members of the research team.

The successful post holder will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and co-ordinate activities in a highly interdisciplinary team. Expertise in cell biology, bioinformatics and omics techniques are essential, as well as management and team building skills. Expertise in the use of cell imaging techniques would be advantageous. While the aim of CIRCE is to conduct basic science, the role requires interaction with our commercial partner and collaborators from international universities. 

Key components of the programme include:

• With collaboration partners, oversee / perform small scale screening experiments to identify candidate molecules in clearly defined functional assays; such candidates will then be transferred to CIRCE for further assessment and characterisation.
• Establish within CIRCE cell and molecular assays and techniques appropriate for work on natural products supplied by international collaborators. Assays used will be amenable to real-time live cell imaging and high-end imaging technology (techniques potentially performed by others in the team).
• Identify a subset of candidates for detailed cellular and molecular analysis, including preliminary assessment of possible mechanisms of action.
• Perform studies on the mechanism of action of candidate molecules at the cellular and molecular levels, including techniques such as gene editing and targeted RNAi.
• Introduce synthetic analogues and variants of key compounds (developed by collaborators) to determine functional elements.
• Test analogues in key molecular and cellular assays.
• Publish research outputs in high impact factor journals.

CIRCE is placed in a dedicated research space featuring internationally leading activities in molecular and cell biology with world leading infrastructure in optical imaging, including super resolution microscopy, whole organism fluorescence imaging, and functional imaging for activity screens. The research will take place in a state-of-the-art research building that is currently being commissioned on the Cambridge West Site.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 July 2026 in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Mr Vito Candela, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

Applications closing dates 11th of June 2025.

Please quote reference NQ46111 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.

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