Research Assistant/Research Associate (Lipid-Storage Disorders) (Fixed Term)

We have a short-term postdoctoral Research Associate position to study lipid-based mechanisms driving neurodegenerative diseases. This is a Wellcome Trust-funded post in the laboratory of Professor Janet Deane at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research. Our laboratory uses a wide range of techniques to study how altered lipid metabolism drives changes in the cellular proteome causing neuronal pathologies.

The post holder must either possess a PhD in Biochemistry, Cell Biology or a relevant subject or have submitted or about to submit their PhD thesis. Evidence of generating excellent experimental data as demonstrated by at least one first-author high-quality research publication. They should also be able to demonstrate their capacity for collaborative work via additional co-authored papers in high-quality journals.  

We are looking for an enthusiastic scientist with experience in protein and lipid biochemistry as well as experience in complex tissue culture such as CRISPRi in iPSC-based neuronal systems. Experience with cell-based models of early-onset lipid-mediated neurodegenerative diseases and capacity to produce and analyse complex proteomics datasets would be highly advantageous. To excel in this role, an understanding of the importance of both lipids and proteins in membrane trafficking and protein secretion is highly advantageous. 

The role will involve supporting other team members and so the successful applicant must have good interpersonal skills as well as the ability to communicate their work clearly in both formal and informal settings. Prior experience training postgraduate students in laboratory techniques would be highly advantageous. 

We encourage creative thinking when tackling scientific problems and are keen to appoint laboratory members with experience adopting new technologies and approaches when appropriate. 

The Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR) is located on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and it is a collaborative institute at the interface between fundamental research and the clinic, with a mission to determine the molecular mechanisms of disease in order to advance human health. 

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

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Janet Deane at jed55@cam.ac.uk

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

Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD. 

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant moving to Research Associate upon confirmation of your PhD award. 

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 as part of your application.

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

Closing date: 14th September 2025

Interview date:  23rd to 26th September 2025

For information about how your personal data is used as an applicant, please see the section on Applicant Data (https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/hr-staff/hr-data/applicant-data) on our HR web pages.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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