Research Associate – Physiology

Job reference: BMH-029886
Salary: £37,694 - £46,049 per annum depending on experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Biology, Medicine Health
Location: Oxford Road
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Division of Neuroscience
Hours Per Week: Full time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 17/10/2025
Contract Duration: Fixed term for 36 months
School/Directorate: School of Biological Sciences

We seek two ambitious and self-motivated laboratory-based Research Associates to join our team defining the impact of daytime light on sleep and circadian rhythms. In contrast to the well-defined disruptive effects of evening and night-time light, the potential beneficial effects of brighter daytime light on sleep and rhythmicity are little understood. We have developed a new laboratory model species, the diurnal murid rodent Rhabdomys pumillio, to address this problem and now are funded via a Wellcome Trust Discovery Award to exploit this opportunity to determine how bright daytime light enhances circadian amplitude and reduces sensitivity to light at night. The successful candidates will apply advanced neuroscience techniques to define the links between daytime light and the circadian clock/sleep at molecular, circuit, and systems levels. We are particularly interested in applicants with expertise in rodent in vivo neurophysiology and/or an established interest in sleep or circadian biology. These full-time positions are available from Jan 2026 for a period of at least 3 years.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Please note this role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route of the Points Based System. Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK in order to be eligible to take up the post.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Robert Lucas

Email: Robert.Lucas@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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