Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term) - Gottgens Lab

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the lab of Professor Bertie Gottgens at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and the Department of Haematology, located on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

The successful candidate will become part of a dynamic and collaborative research team with an annual output of ~20 publications (https://www.stemcells.cam.ac.uk/people/pi/gottgens). With 15 years of experience in single-cell genomics, the Gottgens Lab is now focused on integrating large-scale single cell genomics data of early development with cellular dynamics and the molecular programmes that govern individual cell fate decisions. By advancing pioneering statistical and computational approaches, we aim to uncover the principles of cell fate decision-making, sublineage selection, and spatial patterning, and to predict cellular behaviour under genetic or molecular perturbations.

This position is part of a broader research programme investigating the interplay between signalling environments, transcriptional networks, and epigenetic regulators. Our goal is to define the mechanisms that maintain or restrict multipotency and to predict the various modes of cell fate choice. The project will leverage cutting-edge single-cell molecular techniques, spatial profiling, lineage tracing, and genetic perturbation datasets. The successful candidate will lead the computational analysis, integrating epigenetic, transcriptomic, and spatial data to identify the molecular regulatory programmes shaping mouse embryonic development.

Requirements:

• A PhD (or equivalent doctorate) in computational biology or a related relevant field is required for appointment at Postdoctoral Research Associate level.
• Candidates who have submitted but not yet been awarded their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, with promotion to Postdoctoral Research Associate upon confirmation of the degree.
• Strong experience in "omics" data analysis, machine learning, and deep representation learning models is essential.
• We welcome applicants with diverse skills and backgrounds who are enthusiastic about contributing to our research goals.

The post holder will be expected to work both independently and collaboratively with experimentalists and other bioinformaticians. The ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-specialist audiences is important.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Nicola Wilson (nkw22@cam.ac.uk) for an informal discussion about the project.

Contract: Fixed-term until 30th September 2026 (initially).

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the ‘Apply’ button 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 (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,610) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) 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.

Please quote reference RB47695 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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