Research Associate/Fellow (Fixed term)

Applications are invited for a Research Associate/Fellow to work on a Medical Research Council funded project using multiple molecular genetics techniques including high throughput CRISPRi screens, lung cell and tissue models in the laboratory of Professors Ian Sayers and Gleb Yakubov (Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, UK). 

In this highly collaborative project involving the Universities of Nottingham, Leicester, Manchester, Imperial College London and AstraZeneca we aim to advance our understanding of the genetic, molecular and cellular basis of mucus production in the airways of patients with severe asthma. This includes using a multidisciplinary approach to translate these findings to new mechanistic understanding and therapeutic opportunities.  

In Nottingham, we will use human primary airway cells combined with CRISPRi to identify functional causal genetic variants, genes and pathways important for regulation of mucins and characterise the mucus produced and functional effects on cells. These mechanisms will be explored further using samples collected from patients with asthma. 

This position will be especially suited to candidates with interest in functional genomics, bioinformatics, lung cell biology and respiratory medicine. The successful candidate will also work in close collaboration with researchers in Leicester, Manchester, Imperial College London and AstraZeneca and additional collaborators. This post offers a unique opportunity to work in fast developing field of molecular genetics and to develop skills in state-of-the-art technologies. 

Applicants must be highly motivated and self-driven, with a PhD or equivalent (or near to completion of PhD), in genomics, molecular and cell biology or related area of biological science. The successful candidate will ideally have considerable experience in some of the following areas: handling and analysing large genomic datasets, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and other molecular biology approaches. A track record of publishing research and experience in primary human airway cell culture  is also desirable.

This is a full time (36.25 hours) fixed-term contract offered for 3 years. Applications are also welcome from candidates wishing to work part-time (minimum 29 hours per week). Please specify in your application if you wish to work part time and the number of preferred hours. Job share arrangements may be considered.  

Requests for secondment from internal candidates may be considered on the basis that prior agreement has been sought from both your current line manager and the manager of your substantive post, if you are already undertaking a secondment role.

For more information on our lab activities please visit: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/people/ian.sayers 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Ian Sayers, email: Ian.Sayers@nottingham.ac.uk.

Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Further details:

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Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration.

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