Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Location: Central Cambridge

The group of Florian Merkle is seeking an outstanding postdoctoral fellow to help develop models of insulin and leptin resistance in human neurons. This collaborative project is funded by NovoNordisk, providing an exciting opportunity to work with colleagues who have access to large-scale screening facilities and expertise in target discovery and drug development. In this role, your work will provide insights into metabolic disease to facilitate the discovery of new therapeutic targets and the ultimate aim of developing novel treatments for diabetes and insulin. 

Your project will focus on cell populations in the hypothalamus essential for regulating food intake, which we can reliably generate from human pluripotent stem cells. These cells closely resemble their counterparts in the brain in their morphology, patterns of gene expression, and functional responses to nutrients, hormones, and drugs. We will now study their responses to the hormones insulin and leptin, and develop in vitro models of insulin resistance and leptin resistance. These models will likely not only reveal insights into their basic biology with the potential for generating high-impact publications, but will likely also generate platforms for therapeutic discovery with the potential for having a real-world impact on patients suffering from obesity and diabetes. 

This position will be based at the University of Cambridge at the Department of Pharmacology and will involve regular virtual and physical meetings with our collaborators at the NovoNordisk Research Centre Oxford. Our group is also affiliated with the Institute of Metabolic Science and Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. Overall, this project represents and outstanding opportunity for a highly-motivated applicant with a PhD in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, or a related field applicant to build their career. Please see Further Particulars for more details about the role specification.  

Responsibilities and expectations: Plan and execute research projects to facilitate target discovery at scale in a fast-paced dynamic environment; Analyse, interpret, visualise, and present experimental data to the leadership team; Optimize and validate assays for measuring signal transduction in cellular models; Ensure that projects are delivered on time and on budget; Stay up to date with the latest scientific literature and technological advances in the field to apply best practices and innovative approaches; Author technical reports, patents, and scientific publications related to research findings; Collaborate and communicate effectively with academic and pharma partners verbally and in writing. 

Applications including 1) a full CV, 2) a cover letter describing your suitability and reasons for your interest in this position should be submitted online. Thank you for your interest!

Proposed start date: 17 November 2025, with some flexibility.

Fixed Term: Due to the collaborative nature of this role, funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance, with likelihood of extension when project milestones are hit.

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

Informal enquiries about the position can be made to Dr Florian Merkle, fm436@cam.ac.uk

For enquiries about the online application process, please contact the HR Team, hr@phar.cam.ac.uk 

Please quote reference PL47283 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.

Advert information