Postdoctoral Research Associate in Nucleic Acid Computing and Molecular Engineering (Fixed Term) in Cambridge

We invite applications for a 2-year Postdoctoral Research Associate position in Nucleic Acid Computing and Molecular Programming in the laboratory of Dr Gamze Gursoy at the University of Cambridge.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research programme at the interface of biochemistry, molecular biology, biomolecular engineering, and computational genomics. The current focus is developing new technologies for genetic privacy, a problem requiring molecular and computational systems to be designed together rather than sequentially.

The postholder will join an active team developing programmable nucleic-acid systems that sense defined human genomic sequences and convert those molecular recognition events into engineered DNA outputs. The broader aim is to develop molecular systems in which useful genetic information can be measured while limiting direct exposure of the underlying genomic sequence. The successful candidate will help design, build, validate, and iteratively improve these systems, and extend them toward robust, multiplexed privacy-preserving applications.

This is primarily an experimental, bench-based position. We are looking for a researcher who enjoys designing and building molecular systems rather than applying established protocols. The postholder will also engage directly with quantitative data generated by their experiments: analysing assay performance, identifying failure modes, comparing alternative designs, and using those results to determine the next experimental iteration. Extensive computational genomics experience is not required, but the ability and willingness to work quantitatively with one's own experimental data is important.

The appointee will be expected to plan and manage their own research and administration, with guidance from the PI as required. They will take an active role in the research group, contribute to graduate student research skills, and participate in seminars, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaborations across applied mathematics, genetics, computational biology, synthetic biology, and genomic privacy. They will also be encouraged to develop independent research directions and pursue fellowship funding, with mentorship and support from the PI.

Applicants should possess, or be close to completing, a Ph.D. in biochemistry, molecular biology, chemical biology, bioengineering, synthetic biology, biotechnology, or a closely related experimental field.

The essential qualification is demonstrated experience designing and experimentally testing nucleic-acid systems beyond routine or predominantly kit-based molecular biology. We are particularly interested in candidates who have reasoned explicitly about nucleic-acid sequence, structure, molecular recognition, enzymatic activity, and function, and translated those ideas into new experimental systems.

Refer to the Further Particulars (pg 4) for the full essential/desirable criteria. Experience in all of these areas is not expected. We are more interested in evidence of creative, design-driven molecular thinking and strong experimental problem-solving than in any particular technology.

Familiarity with Python, R, or another quantitative analysis environment would be advantageous but is not essential. Candidates with strong experimental backgrounds who are motivated to develop these skills are encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research environment spanning molecular biology, genomics, cryptography, computational biology, and applied mathematics, with access to wet-lab facilities in the Department of Genetics and close interaction with computational researchers in DAMTP. The project is suited to someone who wants to develop new molecular technologies from first principles, move rapidly between design, experiment, and quantitative analysis, and help establish an emerging area at the boundary of molecular engineering and information security.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Dr Gamze Gursoy at gg584@cam.ac.uk.

If you have any queries about the application process, please email LE51105@maths.cam.ac.uk.

Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date.

Please quote reference LE51105 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.