Research Associate (PDRA) in Gene Editing/Genome Engineering

The role

The Berger team is seeking to fill a Post-doctoral Research Associate post at the Bristol Engineering Biology Centre and Max Planck Bristol Centre, University of Bristol UK. You will drive world-class synthetic biology research to develop and roll-out new DNA and protein delivery tool-kits for gene editing towards clinical applications to treat human genetic disease.

You will be working closely with our international collaborators at Max Planck Institutes in Germany, and in top laboratories in UK, France and Sweden.

You will participate in a vibrant and dynamic, inclusive and equitable research environment in a laboratory developing and applying cutting edge technology to generate new knowledge and biological insights in a top 10 UK University, in one of the best cities to live in the UK. 

What will you be doing?

Within a cohort of future leaders at the Bristol Engineering Biology Centre BrisEngBio, at the interface of synthetic biology and translational science, you will be part of a cutting-edge research team developing and deploying next-generation DNA and protein delivery tool-kits for gene editing and genome engineering. Showing a high degree of independence, you will drive an ambitious research programme to maximize genome engineering efficacy towards Gene Therapy 2.0. You will be collaborating with world-class teams in the UK and Europe. For information about the Berger lab and our research activities please follow:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/imre-berger-7a0a6a50/, https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=pzEPqLoAAAAJ&hl=en and https://maxplanck-minimalbiology.bristol.ac.uk/)

You should apply if

• You enjoy working on cutting-edge projects in synthetic biology and genome engineering
• Are a dedicated team player in an international, dynamic, diverse and equitable team
• Have a keen interest in method development for gene editing and genome engineering and their translation
• Are independent and resourceful and excited about basic research and translation
• Have experience with eukaryotic tissue culture work, cell biology techniques and gene editing  

Additional information

For informal enquiries please contact Imre Berger (imre.berger@bristol.ac.uk) and

Francesco Aulicino (francesco.aulicino@bristol.ac.uk)

Contract type: Open ended (Fixed funding for 3 years)

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday 20th August 2025

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The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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