Research Associate / Senior Research Associate in epithelial cell fate dynamics in tissue development

The role

Two Postdoctoral Research Associate posts are available in the laboratory of Dr Bethan Lloyd-Lewis within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Bristol. These offer an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team investigating the mechanisms regulating epithelial cell fate during mammary gland development and breast cancer.  

The lab’s research integrates data across multiple scales to define the molecular processes regulating the fate of individual cells and how these link to organ development, function, and oncogenesis (https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/bethan-lloyd-lewis). The available projects will explore how mechanical forces influence mammary cell fate dynamics and plasticity during branching morphogenesis (embryonic and postnatal stages) and early tumour initiation. The projects will harness a multi-disciplinary approach, combining transgenic lineage tracing mouse models and explant culture techniques with live in vivo (intravital) and ex vivo confocal microscopy, -omics (scRNA-seq, proteomic) and biophysical methods.

The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences is an internationally respected hub for research in molecular, cell and tissue biology and is supported by cutting-edge core facilities.

What will you be doing?

You will join an enthusiastic team within a thriving community of molecular cell and tissue biology labs at the University of Bristol. The roles will entail undertaking independent, high-quality research while working closely with other team members. You will contribute to fostering collaborations with other researchers, including biophysicists and mathematical biologists. The roles will involve day-to-day organisation and undertaking of the project, and performing a range of research tasks, including in vivo experiments, mammary organotypic culture, advanced microscopy and immunohistochemistry. You will be responsible for data analysis and dissemination, as well as assisting with the supervision of new/junior researchers in the lab. 

You should apply if

We are looking for enthusiastic and creative candidates with interests in epithelial stem cells, tissue development/regeneration, and cancer biology. A PhD (or close to completion) in a relevant biological or biomedical science is essential. Skills in fluorescence confocal imaging of live and fixed samples are also required. Prior experience with transgenic mouse models is highly advantageous. You should be highly motivated with excellent team working skills and have a track record commensurate to career stage. You should possess good time management skills, and the ability to prioritise and work independently and as part of a team. The funds for these positions are available for 3 years in the first instance from September 2024.

Additional information

For informal enquiries please contact Bethan Lloyd-Lewis (bethan.lloyd-lewis@bristol.ac.uk).

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

Advert information