Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term) in Cambridge

Overview

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position to work in the group of Dr Felipe Karam Teixeira in the Department of Genetics in central Cambridge. The successful candidate will work on a long-term, Wellcome Trust-funded project that brings together the groups of Dr Karam Teixeira and Professor Richard Durbin and focuses on dissecting how transposable elements shape the evolution of eukaryotic genomes. The Karam Teixeira group studies the molecular mechanisms underlying the co-evolution of transposable elements and hosts, using Drosophila as a model to study transposable element biology, germline development, epigenetic regulation and inheritance, and small RNA-based defence mechanisms. The Durbin group is a leader in computational genomics and large-scale genome science, developing new algorithms and statistical methods for analysing genome sequencing data. The labs are joining to build an interdisciplinary research team that combines large-scale experimental evolution with innovative computational methods to understand how transposons invade and spread across genomes and how host machineries tame them.

Responsibilities

• Lead the experimental work on transposon invasion dynamics in Drosophila.
• Work on a project that combines wet-lab experiments with computational insights in an interdisciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• Completed PhD in biological sciences.
• Experience in a wide range of molecular biology techniques.
• Prior experience in transposable element biology, germline and/or small RNA biology is encouraged.
• Having prior expertise in next-generation sequencing methods (RNA-seq, small RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, Hi-C or DNA-seq) and long-read sequencing technology would be an advantage.
• Previous experience with fly genetics and/or confocal microscopy (smFISH or HCR) would be beneficial, although training can be provided where necessary.
• Strong motivation, good verbal and written communication skills, and strong problem-solving abilities to work independently, drive the project in innovative directions, and manage large-scale experiments.
• Ability to work productively with wet and dry researchers in an interdisciplinary research environment.

Terms and how to apply

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Click the \’Apply\’ button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

For informal enquiries about the role please contact Dr Felipe Karam Teixeira fk319@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PC48219 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Equality and eligibility

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.