Graduate Research Assistant

The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant to support the work on a Wellcome-Leap funded project for two-years from 2^nd March 2026 until 6 March 2028.

The Post

The successful applicant will work on Cycletrack, an interdisciplinary project led by Professor Gemma Sharp that aims to create a world-leading resource for menstrual health research. The position will be located in the Complex Disease Epigenomics group at the University of Exeter Medical School. The post will involve the processing of samples for cutting-edge epigenomic profiling and working with our collaborative team to examine patterns of gene regulation in human menstrual blood in relation to heavy menstrual periods. The applicant will also join the 4M consortium and collaborate with other UK research-leading institutes.

The role is lab-based and the appointee will be responsible for sample processing, archiving and epigenetic profiling. Applicants should have some previous laboratory experience (preferably in high-throughput genomics) and be organised and a strong team-player.

The successful applicant will be based within the Complex Disease Epigenetics Group (http://www.epigenomicslab.com/) at the University of Exeter Medical School but also work with teams in Psychology and other Universities. We are a dynamic, interdisciplinary team including molecular biologists, mathematicians and bioinformaticians.

About you

The successful applicant will have previous laboratory experience (ideally related to DNA and RNA profiling) and an interest in epigenetics. They will be an excellent team-player and have a passion for learning new methods and skills. They will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically.

Applicants will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

Further information

For further information please contact Prof. Jonathan Mill (j.mill@exeter.ac.uk) and/or

Professor Gemma Sharp (g.c.sharp@exeter.ac.uk).

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