Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Location: Central Cambridge

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in cellular biophysics in the group of Prof. Ewa Paluch. The Paluch lab studies cellular morphogenesis combining cell and molecular biology, quantitative imaging and biophysical approaches to investigate cell shape changes in cultured cells and in vivo. Current projects in the lab include investigating the regulation of the mechanical properties of the cellular actin cortex, the biomechanics of cell division, and the coupling between cell shape and mechanics and cellular state / fate during cellular transitions.

The successful candidate will conduct fundamental research aimed at understanding how cell surface mechanics regulates collective cell behaviours and research aimed at understanding how cell surface mechanics regulates collective cell behaviours and tissue mechanics in mouse embryonic stem cell-derived gastruloids. The aims of the project are to 1) quantitatively characterise how alterations in membrane¿cortex attachment affect gastruloid elongation, cell motility and cellular rearrangements; 2) investigate resulting changes in tissue-level mechanical properties in the growing gastruloids, 3) work in collaboration with theorists to develop a physical model of how single-cell mechanical properties give rise to tissue-scale morphogenetic behaviours.

You should hold a PhD (or about to be awarded a PhD) in Biophysics or a related field and have extensive experience with stem cell and gastruloid cultures, imaging and image analysis, as well as developing assays for biophysical characterisation of cell and tissue mechanics.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Further information on the lab:

www.pdn.cam.ac.uk/directory/ewa-paluch

and

paluchlab.uk

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/56451.

To apply for this post, please submit a CV and a motivation letter detailing why you want to be part of this project and how this post will be a good stepping-stone for your career. We also need the contact details for two people who can provide a professional reference.

Closing date: midnight on 10^th August 2026.

Please quote reference PM50530 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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