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We are seeking a highly organized, motivated, and enthusiastic Research Assistant to join our dynamic and collaborative research team in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research on the molecular biology of RNA viruses, with a focus on the mechanisms underlying genome assembly, viral replication, and biomolecular condensates.

The successful candidate will work alongside a multidisciplinary team of scientists, including postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and international collaborators, to support groundbreaking studies aimed at understanding rotavirus biology and evolution.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Providing technical and organizational support to research projects, including assisting with experiments related to RNA biology, molecular cloning, cell culture, microscopy.
• Preparing and maintaining stocks of reagents, consumables, and cell lines.
• Overseeing general lab operations, including equipment maintenance, inventory management, and compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Coordinating with team members to ensure smooth day-to-day lab operations and facilitating collaborative research activities.
• Keeping accurate records of lab resources, experimental workflows, and results to support the

This role offers an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about science and eager to support transformative research in RNA virus biology. Whether you are an experienced lab technician or a recent graduate looking to gain hands-on research experience, we encourage you to apply.

A flexible start date is available, but we are seeking to fill the position as soon as possible.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 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.

If you have questions on the application process, please email Mrs Alessandra Uomo, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications is 23rd February 2025.

Interviews are likely to be held soon after the closing date.

Please quote reference NQ44609 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.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and independent Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our growing research in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underpinning genome assembly, viral replication, and evolution in RNA viruses with segmented genomes, with the ultimate goal of informing the development of antiviral strategies.

The successful candidate will participate in an exciting project funded by a Wellcome Discovery Award, which explores the roles of RNA structure, dynamics, and biomolecular condensates in viral life cycles. Our work seeks to revolutionise the understanding of how multi-segmented RNA viruses, such as RVs, selectively package their distinct RNA segments, form phase-separated replication factories, and evolve through reassortment.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Virological characterisation of novel recombinant rotaviruses generated via reverse genetics approaches. These will include classical virological methods (growth kinetics, virus isolation and purification, negative stain electron microscopy and light microscopy).

• Applying RNA-focused methods such as RNA sequencing, including RNA-Seq data analyses (Oxford nanopore and Illumina-based sequencing) pipelines.

• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to integrate experimental data with computational approaches, including machine-learning tools, to investigate the impact of RNA structural and RNA genome changes on viral replication and genome stability.

• Contribute to various research group activities, writing manuscripts, presenting at group meetings, national and international conferences.

The PDRA is expected to carry out independent research on a day-to-day basis and develop new approaches under the guidance of an academic supervisor. In addition, cooperation with other lab members and assistance with the training of students within the research group is required. Teamwork and clear communication are essential.

More information on the role is available on the Further Particulars attached.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years.

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

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Mr Vito Candela, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

Applications closing dates 23rd of February 2025.

Please quote reference NQ44700 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.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and independent Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our growing research in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underpinning genome assembly, viral replication, and evolution in RNA viruses with segmented genomes, with the ultimate goal of informing the development of antiviral strategies.

The successful candidate will participate in an exciting project funded by a Wellcome Discovery Award, which explores the roles of RNA structure, dynamics, and biomolecular condensates in viral life cycles. Our work seeks to revolutionise the understanding of how multi-segmented RNA viruses, such as RVs, selectively package their distinct RNA segments, form phase-separated replication factories, and evolve through reassortment.

The successful candidate will participate in an exciting project funded by a Wellcome Discovery Award, which explores the roles of RNA structure, dynamics, and biomolecular condensates in viral life cycles. Our work seeks to revolutionise the understanding of how multi-segmented RNA viruses, such as rotaviruses, selectively package their distinct RNA segments, form phase-separated replication factories, and evolve through reassortment.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Using advanced microscopy techniques, including fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and Raster Image Correlation Spectroscopy (RICS), to study the dynamics of viral condensates.
• Applying RNA-focused methods such as smFISH, RNA sequencing, and proximity-labelling techniques to analyse viroplasmic transcriptomes.
• Developing and utilizing reverse genetics system for rescuing viruses to generate recombinant rotaviruses, and explore the functional consequences of mutations in key viral proteins that drive phase separation.
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to integrate experimental data with computational approaches, including machine-learning tools, to investigate evolutionary conservation and phase separation phenomena.
• Contribute to various research group activities, writing manuscripts, presenting at group meetings, national and international conferences.

The PDRA is expected to carry out independent research on a day-to-day basis and develop new approaches under the guidance of an academic supervisor. In addition, cooperation with other lab members and assistance with the training of students within the research group is required. Team work and clear communication are essential.

More information on the role is available on the Further Particulars attached.

Fixed-term: the funds for this post are available for 2 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.

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Alex Borodavka at ab2677@cam.ac.uk.

If you have questions on the application process, please email Mrs Alessandra Uomo, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications is 19th January 2025.

Interviews are likely to be held soon after the closing date.

Please quote reference NQ44601 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.

The Molecular Neuroscience group (MNG), headed by Prof. Gabriele Kaminski Schierle (https://www.ceb-mng.org/), is looking for an outstanding Research Laboratory Technician, to start as soon as possible.

Your principal activity will be to provide experimental support to the group and coordinate the cell culture activities, maintain cultures, freezing cells, making buffers and media. You will also be responsible for coordinating and maintaining group safety record keeping, ordering consumables and responsibility for lab organisation.

You will develop, construct, operate, maintain and repair specialised experimental equipment in research laboratories and train and assist research workers in the safe operation of research equipment. In addition, you will be responsible for the waste management, housekeeping and safety in the research group laboratories.

You will need to work as part of a team and be responsible for managing your own work as well as communicating with other members of the project. The ability to work independently, coupled with excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, is essential for this role. The post holder is expected to prepare, update, and maintain risk assessments; take an active role in the safe running of the laboratory, and act as a point of contact for safety, lab organisation and maintenance of laboratory equipment. General laboratory housekeeping duties is expected.

Expertise in cell biology and basic imaging techniques are essential, as well as management and team building skills. Expertise in working with stem cells would be advantageous.

For a full list of the duties, terms and conditions of the post, and requisite experience, please refer to the Further Particulars attached.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

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

If you have questions on the application process, please email Mrs Alessandra Uomo, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications is 19th January 2025.

Interviews are likely to be held soon after the closing date.

Please quote reference NQ44492 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.

The Molecular Neuroscience group (MNG), headed by Prof. Gabriele Kaminski Schierle (https://www.ceb-mng.org/), is looking for an outstanding Research Laboratory Technicians, to start as soon as possible.

Your principal activity will be to provide experimental support to the group by performing molecular biology tasks and by purifying proteins. You will be working with Category 1 and 2 genetically modified organisms (bacteria, immortalised mammalian cells and viruses). You will also be responsible for coordinating and maintaining group safety record keeping, ordering consumables and responsibility for lab organisation.

You will develop, construct, operate, maintain and repair specialised experimental equipment in research laboratories and train and assist research workers in the safe operation of research equipment. In addition, you will be responsible for the waste management, housekeeping and safety in the research group laboratories.

You will need to work as part of a team and be responsible for managing your own work as well as communicating with other members of the project. The ability to work independently, coupled with excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, is essential for this role. The post holder is expected to prepare, update, and maintain risk assessments; take an active role in the safe running of the laboratory, and act as a point of contact for safety, lab organisation and maintenance of laboratory equipment. General laboratory housekeeping duties is expected.

Expertise in molecular biology and biochemical techniques are essential, as well as management and team building skills. Expertise in CRISPr Cas9 techniques would be advantageous.

For a full list of the duties, terms and conditions of the post, and requisite experience, please refer to the Further Particulars attached.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

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

If you have questions on the application process, please email Mrs Alessandra Uomo, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications is 19th January 2025.

Interviews are likely to be held soon after the closing date.

Please quote reference NQ44598 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.

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology is seeking to appoint a part-time (22.50 hours) Website & Systems Developer to lead on the technical implementation, maintenance and ongoing development of the Department's website and intranet. This pivotal role will ensure a secure, reliable, user-centred digital presence, supporting the Department's operations and communications.

The postholder's primary priority will be the migration of the Department's web estate from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10, working closely with the University Information Services team to achieve a seamless transition by the end of July 2025, with minimal disruption to students and academic staff. In addition, they will develop and implement a new SharePoint-based intranet to improve internal communication and resource management. The role will also involve leading on the development and automation of workflows and processes, using tools such as Microsoft Power Automate, Power Apps, Azure Logic Apps, and Dynamics 365 to deliver efficient, integrated solutions.

Beyond these immediate priorities, the postholder will ensure that all digital platforms comply with best practices and regulations in data protection, accessibility, and search engine optimisation. They will provide training and support to site users and act as the primary contact for University Information Services on all website and intranet development matters.

Furthermore, the postholder takes responsibility for second line support and provides advice in specific areas of website design and maintenance. They will be expected to implement website and systems service improvement under the guidance of the Communications Manager and in collaboration with the IT Manager and central University Information Services.

The successful candidate will have extensive backend knowledge of and hands-on experience with Drupal and SharePoint, with the ability to manage and resolve all development-related issues. Proficiency in Microsoft Power Automate, including designing workflows and integrating Microsoft 365 apps with external APIs, is essential. Familiarity with tools such as Power Apps, Azure Logic Apps, and Dynamics 365 for developing efficient, end-to-end solutions is also required.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead key digital transformation projects, contribute to the Department's strategic goals, and provide expert technical guidance in a dynamic academic environment.

Proficiency in the Microsoft Power Automate for designing and optimizing workflows, integration with Microsoft 365 apps and external APIs Connectors for system integration, proficiency in handling data formats like JSON for data exchange and SQL/Dataverse, and familiarity with tools such as Power Apps, Azure Logic Apps for workflow orchestration, and Dynamics 365 to develop efficient end-to-end solutions is essential.

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

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Ms Hannah Dolman, Communications, at hd531@cam.ac.uk.

Applications closing dates 19th of January 2025.

Please quote reference NQ44287 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.

We are seeking to recruit an exceptional Doctoral (PhD) Candidate to join the new MSCA Doctoral Network ComeInCell (https://www.comeincell.org/). The candidate will enrol for a PhD in Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge, under the supervision of Prof. Lorenzo Di Michele.

ComeInCell offers a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research in the field of Synthetic Biology, working at the intersection of biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. The project will explore how membranes and condensates together regulate protein function and drive cellular processes, towards development of innovative biomimetic platforms. These platforms will provide a deeper understanding of essential cellular processes like membrane trafficking and pathologies like neurodegenerative diseases and will open new avenues for drug discovery and therapeutic interventions. Successful candidates will benefit from a diverse and interdisciplinary training program, including secondments in leading labs and collaborations with industry partners. Our network fosters a rich environment for innovation and skill development, equipping students to lead in both academic and industrial sectors.

We have recently developed technologies to produce synthetic RNA condensates with prescribed number, size, shape, composition, material properties and the ability to selectively recruit protein clients. These condensates form co-transcriptionally in synthetic cells. With this project, we aim to engineer interactions between the synthetic RNA condensates and synthetic cell membranes to induce controlled membrane deformation, patterning, and division-like behaviours. Condensate/membrane affinity can be programmed using electrostatics or specifically with either amphiphilic nucleic acid linkers or aptamers targeting membrane proteins. Specific objectives include: 1) Build synthetic cells that can express RNA condensates with controlled affinity for the membrane; 2) Exploit processes such as condensate growth, degradation and internal phase separation to deform and manipulate the membranes (e.g. stabilizing non-spherical morphologies; controlling lipid domain formation, size and distribution; inducing membrane rupture or membrane fission).

The project involves secondments at the Max Plank Institute of Biochemistry (Munich, Germany) in the group of Prof. Petra Schwille and at Imperial College London in the group of Dr Claudia Contini.

Please see full information about the programme at https://www.comeincell.org/.

The successful candidate would be employed as a Research Assistant and they must apply for admission as a PhD student with the University and be able to meet our criteria for admission. For further information please visit: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/egcepdcng?gl=1e6nc7rgaNjM2MTY3Nzk3LjE2NjcyOTg0MTc.gaP8Q1QT5W4K*MTY2ODE2MzI4Ny44LjEuMTY2ODE2MzI5MC4wLjAuMA

Students recruited to the UKRI Doctoral Networks guarantee must not have spent more than 1 year (365 days) out of the last 3 years in the UK at the point when they are recruited to the network.

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.

Should you require any further details on the role please contact Prof. Lorenzo Di Michele at ld389@cam.ac.uk. If you have questions on the application process, please email Mrs Alessandra Uomo, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications is 6th January 2025.

Interviews are likely to be held soon after the closing date.

Please quote reference NQ44098 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.