Research Assistant/Associate in Glasgow

We have an exciting research opportunity for a Research Assistant / Associate to join our team. The post holder will be based at the Cancer Research UK-Scotland Institute (CRUK-SI) in Glasgow, working with Principal Investigator, Dr Stephen Carter, and in collaboration with Prof. Martin Bushell at the CRUK-SI. CRUK-SI is one of the world's leading cancer research centres. It supports cutting-edge discovery research into the molecular mechanisms of cancer development.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to an ambitious project funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF), initially for 18 months with the potential for a three-year extension, focused on investigating the architecture of PML bodies and other nuclear condensates.
• Develop and apply ultrastructural methodologies at the heart of the project using cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) combined with cryogenic correlated light and electron microscopy (cryo-CLEM) and cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) milling.
• Apply state-of-the-art imaging approaches to visualise molecular details of the relationships between chromatin and nuclear condensates.
• Be trained to apply cryo-ET coupled with fluorescence to map key functional proteins and contribute to the study of the molecular mechanisms governing the assembly, composition and function of PML bodies and other nuclear condensates.
• Develop skills in molecular biology and cryo-EM sample preparation techniques, processing cryo-tomograms, and designing and executing cryo-ET experiments.

Qualifications and requirements

• The ideal candidate will have experience in molecular biology, cryo-EM sample preparation techniques, processing skills of cryo-tomograms, and be self-motivated in designing and executing cryo-ET experiments.
• The successful candidate will be trained in how to apply cryo-ET coupled with fluorescence to map key functional proteins and contribute to understanding the assembly, composition and function of nuclear condensates.

The Cancer Research UK-Scotland Institute has access to instrumentation in the Scottish Centre for Macromolecular Imaging (SCMI), such as the JEOL CRYO ARM 300 electron microscope, Leica EM GP2, a cryo-FIB instrument with a Quorum transfer stage, and the Leica THUNDER Imager EM cryo-CLEM microscope. This technology will allow the candidate to develop their skills to target events that happen deep in the cell so we can see more of the molecular mechanisms that drive the formation, maintenance and disruption of PML bodies and other nuclear condensates.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Stephen Carter at Stephen.Carter@glasgow.ac.uk. This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and has funding available until 1 August 2027.