Research Assistant in Gene Editing & Human Sample Handling (Fixed Term)

We are seeking a research assistant with experience in handling human samples, human pluripotent stem cell culture, and gene editing. The position will be based in the laboratory of Dr. Florian Merkle (www.merklelab.org ) at the Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science at the University of Cambridge and will be supported by an interdisciplinary team with expertise in developmental and stem cell biology, neuroscience, disease modelling, genetic and drug screens, and bioinformatics.

The Merkle lab studies obesity and neurodegenerative disease, both of which are common, have a clear genetic basis, and are largely diseases of the brain. In particular, cell populations in the hypothalamus are critically important for regulating food intake and their dysfunction leads to the abnormal regulation of body weight. Neurodegenerative disease is likely share disease mechanisms and relevant cell types with metabolic disease. To identify these mechanisms, our group differentiates human pluripotent stem cells into these disease-relevant cell populations to study how environment and genetic factor alter cellular phenotypes to contribute to disease, and extending findings made in vitro to animal models and primary human samples. The successful candidate will contribute to the design and execution of experiments that will support CRISPR screens, drug screens, and high throughput cellular assays, and confirmation in primary samples. Our ultimate aims is that these insights will identify new therapeutic targets for obesity and neurodegenerative disease.

The position is funded by the New York Stem Cell Foundation (https://nyscf.org/ ), enabling the successful applicant to join a world-class international network to tackle major challenges in human health. Overall, this project represents and outstanding career development opportunity for a highly-motivated applicants. We welcome anyone with the Essential Skills to apply and especially encourage applications from individuals with expertise in the Desired Skills listed below.

Essential Skills:

• BSc or higher with a concentration in a medical biological field, with track record of academic excellence
• Strong experience with standard techniques in molecular biology (e.g. cloning), and cellular biology (e.g cell culture with particular emphasis in iPSC and neuronal culture, transfection).
• Strong interpersonal skills, and clear written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and productively with excellent organisational and time management skills
• Experience handling human samples and navigating regulatory paperwork

Desired Skills:

• Experience with statistical analysis
• Experience with design and execution of gene editing workflows (e.g. Gibson assembly, CRISPR design and delivery to mammalian cells, screening strategies, and clone selection and expansion).
• Experience with high-throughput screens or cell-based functional assays, especially high content imaging and lentiviral library production
• Experience with proteomics, histology, microscopy, and preparation and analysis of next generation sequencing data
• Experience with scientific writing, web design, and on social media for social outreach

Other information

This position is based at the Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science (https://www.ims.cam.ac.uk/ ) at the University of Cambridge, which provides a highly collaborative and stimulating environment. Our group is affiliated with the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (https://www.stemcells.cam.ac.uk/ ) and we collaborate closely with groups at the WT-Sanger Institute (https://www.sanger.ac.uk/ ), the Open Targets academic-industrial partnership (https://www.opentargets.org/ ), and the UK Dementia Research Institute (UKDRI, https://ukdri.ac.uk/centres/cambridge ).

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 24 months in the first instance.

Informal inquiries about this position should be directed to Florian Merkle at [email protected]

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

Closing Date: 11 August 2021

Please ensure that you 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. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Please quote reference RG27546 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.

Further information
Apply online