Research Associate in Developmental Cell Biology

Job reference: BMH-032783
Salary: UoM Grade 6 £38,448 - £46,970 pro rata depending on relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Biology, Medicine Health
Location: Oxford Road
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine
Hours Per Week: Full time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 07/12/2026
Contract Duration: From 01/04/2027 for 36 months
School/Directorate: School of Medical Sciences

Join the Manning Lab at the University of Manchester for a three-year, Wellcome-funded post investigating how cytonemes (specialised signalling filopodia) transmit Notch signals. Working within a collaborative Discovery Award with the University of Exeter, you will combine cell culture, live imaging, mouse embryo experiments and two-dimensional correlative light and electron microscopy to explore signalling during development.

Facilities for animal research are first rate and are validated by all the appropriate Home Office licences. However, if you have any medical, social or ethical reasons for avoiding work on experimental animals, then do not apply for this post.

You will be responsible for:

• Undertaking a programme of research to determine how cytonemes mediate signalling during developmental patterning and cell-fate decisions.
• Developing robust image-analysis and quantitative workflows to extract reproducible biological measurements from microscopy data.
• Managing your own research activity, identifying technical challenges and working with collaborators to develop practical solutions.
• Communicating findings through project meetings, conference presentations and high-quality research publications.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• Hold a PhD or due to complete PhD within 6 months in developmental or cell biology
• Strong knowledge of developmental biology or cell biology
• Significant experience in live-cell or live-tissue fluorescence imaging and the quantitative analysis of microscopy data.
• Experience in cell and molecular biology techniques such as CRISPR gene editing, immunofluorescence, qPCR, PCR, western blotting
• Willingness to work with mouse embryos and to complete all required training and competency assessment.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience with mouse embryonic stem cell differentiations

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Cerys Manning

Email Address: cerys.manning@manchester.ac.uk 

General enquiries and administrative support

recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support

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Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

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