Research Associate - CryoEM (Fixed Term)

The Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit (MRC MBU), University of Cambridge wishes to appoint a post-doctoral Research Associate (cryoEM) to join Professor Judy Hirst and the Mitochondrial Complex I group. Research at the MRC MBU takes place in a vibrant community and is focused on the involvement of mitochondria and their dysfunction in an ever-increasing range of human diseases.

The MRC MBU is a world-renowned centre for research with three major scientific aims:

1. To understand the fundamental processes taking place in mitochondria.
2. To understand the involvement of these processes in human diseases.
3. To exploit knowledge of these fundamental processes for the development of new therapies to treat human diseases.

Additional information can be found at www.mrc-mbu.cam.ac.uk.

The successful candidate will use cryoEM (cryo-electron microscopy) to advance understanding of mitochondrial complex I from mammalian tissues and model systems. The candidate will prepare complex I samples by standard biochemical approaches, then use single-particle cryoEM to determine and investigate their structures. They will take advantage of technical advances in both cryoEM instrumentation and computational methods for data analysis and apply them to solve and model and structures of biochemical and biomedical importance. The structures will be chosen and investigated to address fundamental questions about the mechanism of complex I, or about its assembly, regulation, or role in disease.

The successful candidate will work within the Hirst lab and will be expected to assist with supervision of students, instructing less experienced researchers, supporting external collaborations, and introducing new ideas, approaches and techniques to the group.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in Biochemistry or a related discipline with experience and expertise in structural biology of membrane proteins, particularly cryoEM, as well as experience in molecular genetics and cloning techniques, biochemistry and protein purification.

Informal enquires about this position should be directed to Professor Judy Hirst (jh@mrc-mbu.cam.ac.uk).

The University of Cambridge is committed, in its pursuit of academic and research excellence, to a pro-active and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. The MBU is part of the School of Clinical Medicine, which holds an Athena Swan Silver Award and supports an Academic Women's Forum. The University particularly encourages women and candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to apply.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2027 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 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 e-mail address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.  Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.