Research Assistant/Research Associate (Lipid-Storage Disorders) (Fixed Term)

Overview

We have a short-term postdoctoral Research Associate position to study lipid-based mechanisms driving neurodegenerative diseases. This is a Wellcome Trust-funded post in the laboratory of Professor Janet Deane at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research. Our laboratory uses a wide range of techniques to study how altered lipid metabolism drives changes in the cellular proteome causing neuronal pathologies.

Responsibilities

• Support other team members and communicate work clearly in both formal and informal settings.
• Collaborate effectively with co-authors and team members; prior experience training postgraduate students in laboratory techniques is advantageous.
• Work on protein and lipid biochemistry, and complex tissue culture such as CRISPRi in iPSC-based neuronal systems.
• Engage with cell-based models of early-onset lipid-mediated neurodegenerative diseases and contribute to the production and analysis of complex proteomics datasets.
• Contribute to understanding how lipids and proteins influence membrane trafficking and protein secretion.
• Be open to adopting new technologies and approaches when appropriate.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Cell Biology or a relevant subject (or evidence of submission/near submission); if the PhD has not yet been awarded, initial appointment may be as a Research Assistant with progression to Research Associate upon PhD award.
• Evidence of generating excellent experimental data, demonstrated by at least one first-author high-quality research publication.
• Capacity for collaborative work demonstrated via co-authored papers in high-quality journals.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively.
• Experience in protein and lipid biochemistry and complex tissue culture is desirable.

Fixed-term details

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until April 2026 in the first instance.

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Janet Deane at jed55@cam.ac.uk.

How to apply

Click the Apply button to register an account with the recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online. 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. Do not upload additional documents not requested, as they will not be considered. Include details of referees with email address and phone number, one of whom must be your most recent line manager.

Closing date: 14 September 2025. Interview date: 23–26 September 2025.

Please quote reference SD47108 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Eligibility and equality

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.

For information about how your personal data is used as an applicant, please see the Applicant Data section on the University HR pages.