Research Assistant - Developmental Neurobiology in Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented and enthusiastic individual interested in developmental neurobiology. You will join a Wellcome Trust-funded project team in the School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield investigating development of the brain.

You will work closely with the project team to provide essential support for specific research activities, assist with the routine maintenance of lab equipment, and assist in lab management, including routine ordering and maintenance of databases. You will additionally work on an individual project.

You will be enthusiastic about research and have degree-level experience biological sciences, biochemistry, neuroscience or a related field. Experience in chick embryology, basic molecular biology, in situ hybridisation, fluorescent microscopy, image capture and Adobe photoshop are also essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Carry out research/experiments. The main duty is to perform studies on chick embryos, investigating hypothalamic cell development

• Perform data mining of chick scRNA-seq datasets

• Participate in weekly project team meetings and attend relevant research seminars, including presentation of own research data.

• Provide support to lab PI and postdocs engaged on the project

• Take responsibility for the day-to-day experiments, including windowing/staging of chick embryos, in vivo manipulations, and post-operative analyses

• Perform multiplex HCR in situ hybridisation

• Perform microscopy imaging, and image analysis

• Work effectively with other research staff and students

• Take responsibility for core equipment, in particular, fluorescent microscopes used by a range of research-active individual

• Take day to day responsibility for the Health and Safety aspects of the work to agreed standards.

• Accurately record results, providing analysis and presenting findings to academic colleagues.

• Be able quickly to adapt and transfer skills to new technology and innovations and work flexibly across laboratories as required.

• Analyse and record data to aid the design of future research

• Take responsibility for self-development and on the job learning; keeping abreast of developments in techniques and technology.

• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

• Have a good honours degree in biological sciences, biochemistry, neuroscience or a related field – Essential – Application
• Have experience in chick embryology, in particular in vivo manipulation – Essential – Application / Interview
• Have experience in HCR in situ hybridisation – Essential – Application / Interview
• Have experience in data mining, in particular of scRNA-seq datasets – Desirable – Application / Interview
• Have experience in tissue culture – Desirable – Application / Interview
• Have experience in basic molecular biology – Desirable – Application / Interview
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal – Essential – Application / Interview
• Have experience in fluorescent microscopy, image capture and Adobe photoshop – Essential – Application / Interview
• Have experience in data analysis, data interpretation and data communication – Essential – Application / Interview
• Ability to work under own initiative to agreed protocols and deadlines, and to plan and progress work activities – Essential – Application / Interview
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving – Desirable – Application / Interview
• Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances – Desirable – Application / Interview

Further Information

• Grade: 6
• Salary: £32,080 - £34,610 per annum
• Work arrangement: Full-time (35 hours per week)
• Duration: Fixed term for a period of 12 months from October 2026
• Line manager: Professor of Developmental Neurobiology (PI)
• Direct reports: None
• Right to work in the UK: If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.
• Our website: School of Biosciences
• For informal enquiries about this job contact Professor Marysia Placzek (Professor of Developmental Neurobiology / PI) at m.placzek@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the advertised closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please contact bioscienceshradmin@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date :12/08/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.