Technician in Mammalian Cell Culture (Pharma collaboration)

Department/Location: Department of Pharmacology, Central Cambridge

The group of Florian Merkle at the University of Cambridge is seeking a technician experienced in mammalian cell culture to help generate and characterise human cellular models of obesity. Specifically, we generate appetite-regulatory neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including neurons that respond to hormones such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) that form the basis of leading anti-obesity therapies. We now aim to work with an industrial partner (NovoNordisk) to characterise their responses to the hormones insulin and leptin and develop in vitro models of resistance insulin and leptin resistance. These experiments will provide a powerful new model system to understand the mechanistic basis of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, and potentially also neurodegenerative diseases that feature central insulin resistance. 

The successful candidate will have a strong track record of working with mammalian cell culture and molecular biology, and have outstanding record-keeping and communication skills. It is desirable, but not required, for candidates to have experience with stem cell and neuron culture, cloning and gene editing, assay development and protocol optimisation, on-boarding and troubleshooting new technologies, image-based cellular assays, and/or data/statistical analysis. However, it is expected that the candidate has the aptitude, passion, and perseverance to learn new things. The successful candidate will work in  close collaboration with postdocs who can help provide on-the-job training in new skills. 

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 and we collaborate closely with groups throughout the university and nearby institutes such as the WT-Sanger Institute. Overall, this project represents and outstanding opportunity for a highly-motivated applicant to build their career and engage with cutting-edge techniques in a highly collaborative and stimulating environment. 

Please see further particulars for more details about the role specification. 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance, with likelihood of extension when project milestones are hit. 

Proposed start date: 02 February 2026, with some flexibility. 

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

Applications should include a full CV and a cover letter describing your suitability and reasons for your interest in this position. 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 PL48051 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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