We are seeking a highly ambitious and talented postdoctoral research associate to join our team at the CRUK Cambridge Institute (part of the University of Cambridge) to study genome regulation using genomics approaches. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to our goal of understanding gene regulation and genome organisation on an evolutionary timescale.
You will be part of a small team, led by Dr Susanne Bornelöv, which studies gene regulation using various approaches including machine learning, evolutionary genomics, and sequencing bioinformatics. Our team is funded by an 8-year Wellcome Career Development Award (wellcome.org/grant-funding/people-and-projects/grants-awarded/data-driven-methods-unravel-hidden-layers-genome).
Your project will use large-scale genomics approaches to investigate the role of codon usage in gene regulation. You will lead the generation of sequencing data and carry out downstream bioinformatic analyses across a phylogeny of fruit flies. The ultimate goal is to understand how mRNA sequence contribute to mRNA stability and protein output, and how this shapes the genome in the context of host-parasite interactions over evolutionary time.
Although our team is currently computational, we seek someone with expertise in cell and molecular biology techniques, including tissue culture and high-throughput sequencing methods such as RNA-seq, ribosome profiling, and sRNA-seq. You will be expected to take the lead on our experimental work and will have access to excellent facilities and support through close collaboration with the Hannon lab. You will combine your data with a large pool of data already collated by our team.
The ideal candidate should have a documented interest and talent for computational approaches, although their primary training may be in molecular biology or biochemistry. If you have solid laboratory skills and want to develop your computational skills further, this is a fantastic opportunity. You will learn to analyse these unique data resources and learn cutting-edge bioinformatics methods. Applicants should have a PhD (or be about to receive one) in a relevant discipline, as well as a strong desire to be part of a team aimed at uncovering fundamental aspects of gene regulation and genome evolution.
As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to contribute your own ideas to ongoing research activities and undertake independent research in the context of the general research area of the group. You will have an exciting opportunity to develop your scientific skills and make a significant contribution to the field of genomics.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.
For up-to-date information about the research group, including our most recent publications, please see our website: www.sblab.uk.
The closing date for applications is 29th May 2023. Interviews will be held in the beginning of June. The starting date is flexible, but ideally in September.
Essential:
* Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline
* Ability to plan, execute and record scientific studies
* Experience of preparing libraries for high-throughput genomics methods, for instance RNA-seq, ribosome profiling, and sRNA-seq
* Ability to perform cell and molecular biology laboratory techniques such as tissue culture (insect or mammalian cells) and molecular cloning
* Proven interest for applying computational methods to study biology
* Basic programming and scripting skills and ability to use command-line tools
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and attention to detail, ability to work effectively as part of a team
* Ability to manage own workloads and meet deadlines
* Ability to present scientific data and to interact with scientific colleagues
* Track record of contributions to a scientific area, demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications, preprints and/or through conference presentations
Desirable:
* Prior experience working with any aspect of genome organisation or gene regulation and/or using Drosophila as a model organism
Please apply following the instructions on the website: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/40630/
The application deadline is 29th May