Postdoctoral Research Scientist (Human Developmental Epigenetics)

Peter Rugg-Gunn’s team at the Babraham Institute are looking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to investigate the dynamics and mechanisms of epigenetic programming during post-implantation development of human embryos.

We have recently developed exciting new technologies in culturing human embryos and embryo-like ‘blastoid’ models up to and beyond implantation, and have also established novel single-cell multi-omics sequencing methods, which together open up new opportunities to directly study the remarkable epigenetic that occur during this crucial period of development. Based on studies in model organisms, we predict there will be widespread changes in the abundance and distribution of multiple histone modifications between days 7 and 14 of human embryo development. However, precisely when do those changes occur, whether they occur in all lineages at the same rate, and what are the key molecular drivers of these changes all remain uncharted in humans. Defining these processes will deliver a step change in our molecular understanding of human development, including epigenetic and gene regulatory mechanisms, with important applications to reproductive health, stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

In this project, you will use the new methods that we have developed to uncover the lineage-resolved dynamics of histone modification changes in post-implantation stage human embryos. You will also compare epigenetic programming between embryos and blastoids. We are particularly interested in histone modification pathways that impact on gene regulatory control and priming mechanisms in embryogenesis. Promising mechanistic leads will be tested using gain- and loss-of-function experiments in embryo models.

Ideally, you will have an excellent aptitude for molecular methods including single-cell sequencing technologies, and an interest in pursuing developmental mechanisms including those controlling lineage specification and gene regulation. Prior experience in low cell number sequencing methods is beneficial. You should have completed a PhD in developmental, molecular biology, genetics or related field, with a demonstrable track-record in academic research.

You with work collaboratively with experimental and computational members of the Rugg-Gunn group and other teams within the Epigenetics Programme of the Babraham Institute, and also with members of the Human Developmental Biology Initiative. The Babraham Institute is a world-leading research institute, with a positive and supportive culture of development and wellbeing, and provisions for onsite accommodation and excellent nursery. The Epigenetics Programme provides a thriving research environment with particular strengths in stem cell, developmental and ageing biology. We benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities at Babraham run by dedicated staff, including Genomics, Bioinformatics, Imaging and Proteomics. We have close links to the University of Cambridge through affiliations with the Stem Cell Institute, the Centre for Trophoblast Research, Reproduction SRI, the Epigenetics Club, and with the many departments and companies that we work with.

Informal enquiries can be addressed to Peter Rugg-Gunn (peter.rugg-gunn@babraham.ac.uk).

For more information on the work of the group, please visit here.