Assistant Research Professor (Fixed Term)

Team Leader, Screening Technologies (Assistant Research Professor)

The ALBORADA Drug Discovery Institute (ADDI), part of the University of Cambridge Department of Clinical Neuroscience (http://cambridge-ddi.alzheimersresearchuk.org/), is seeking an experienced screening-technology scientist to lead a team responsible for assay development and primary screening for its growing portfolio of small-molecule drug discovery projects. The Cambridge DDI is part of a network of world-class Drug Discovery Institutes, funded by Alzheimer's Research UK, forming the Alzheimer's Research UK Drug Discovery Alliance. The Cambridge DDI will prosecute projects from target to in vivo proof of concept and beyond for novel targets in the neurodegeneration therapeutic area. 

The successful candidate will have broad target-class exposure and experience in the development of automated, plate-based screening assays (biochemical and cell based) for both primary as well as selectivity screens. Experience in both target-based and phenotypic screening contexts and solid compound management are required. Reporting to the Head of Biology, this is a laboratory-based position, and the successful candidate will have a hands-on approach as well as recruiting and supervising team members. The successful candidate will lead a team tasked with the translation of projects from academic groups to the DDI labs and providing support to projects in the screening, hit-to-lead and lead-optimisation phases of the drug discovery process.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant field and will have considerable experience in high-throughput screening, screening automation, compound management and statistical evaluation of large data sets as evidenced through publications, presentations and/or patents. They will have excellent organisation, time management and record-keeping skills and experience of leadership, project planning and supervision of junior staff as well as strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Please note that this position is advertised for internal applicants only. Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

For questions relating to the post, please contact Prof. Wei-Li Kuan at wlk21@cam.ac.uk   

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 April 2029 in the first instance.

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

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and a 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.

The closing date for applications is: 24th May 2026

The interview date for the role is: To be confirmed

Please quote reference RR49706 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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