Research Assistant

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: 18 months contract 

The Opportunity

An exciting research assistant position is available to research the role of epigenetic marks in gene regulation.

We are looking for a self-motivated, enthusiastic research assistant to join the laboratory of Dr Duncan Sproul at the University of Edinburgh’s Institute of Genetics and Cancer and support research into the role of DNA methylation in gene regulation. This project is a close collaboration with 3 other groups based at the Universities of Edinburgh and Exeter. 

We have recently characterised mutations that prevent the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B from being recruited to actively transcribed gene bodies (Taglini et al. 2024, EMBO Reports 25:1130, DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00061-5). Our new project will use this knowledge combined with recently developed synthetic approaches as an entry point to probe the non-canonical regulation of transcription by DNA methylation within gene bodies and its functional impact on cellular phenotypes.

The successful candidate will work with the Sproul and collaborating laboratories as part of a successful multidisciplinary research team. This role will have a particular emphasis on the use of synthetic vector libraries combined with cellular landing pads high throughput sequencing data of variant libraries from mammalian cells.

Candidates who have a degree in a relevant subject and have experience in laboratory research in the areas of molecular biology, cellular biology or biochemistry are invited to apply. Applicants must possess the ability to work with others as part of an interdisciplinary research team to support research projects towards publication. Candidates with prior experience of research in the fields of epigenomics, gene regulation and/or the use of synthetic approaches in these fields are particularly welcome.

The post is full-time (35 hours per week) and funding is available from 1^st January 2027 for 1.5 years pending review after 6 months.

Further details of work from the Sproul research group are available at: institute-genetics-cancer.ed.ac.uk/research/research-groups-a-z/sproul-group

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