Research Fellow

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to January 2030

Background

The Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences at the University of Birmingham is seeking an exceptional candidate to join the Broderick lab to carry out fundamental research on the processes of telomere maintenance, DNA replication and DNA repair in human cells. 

Specifically, the post holder will investigate the molecular mechanisms of the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) process to identify therapeutic targets for ALT-reliant cancers, examining how collapsed telomeric DNA replication forks are clustered to engage break-induced telomere synthesis in ALT-reliant cells. This will be achieved using cutting-edge cell and molecular biology approaches including CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, advanced microscopy techniques and analysis of synthetic lethality.

The successful applicant will join a newly established team at the Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences; a diverse Cancer Research Centre which includes one of the largest Cancer Clinical Trials Units in the UK, as well as several high-profile DNA repair and replication research groups. The post holder will also be afforded opportunities for personal and professional development in the areas of teaching, research leadership and grant writing. 

The position is supported by an MRC Career Development Award.

Main Duties

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required.
• Bring the ability to invent new, or adapt existing, methodologies.
• Contribute to the development of others in the research team, providing guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research. 
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
• Analyse and interpret data, recommend next steps within the context of current literature.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Keep excellent contemporaneous notes and records.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students, and more junior members of staff where appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods.
• Undertake management/administration and day-to-day laboratory tasks needed for research.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a PhD (or near to completion) relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications.
• Demonstrable research experience of, or detailed knowledge of, mammalian telomere biology, DNA replication and/or DNA repair. 
• Demonstrable technical knowledge of/experience with CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, immunofluorescence microscopy and image analysis.
• Demonstrable productivity including publications or preprints.
• High level analytical capability.
• Evidence of having developed or invented new methods and the ability to learn new approaches outside of current expertise.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Ronan Broderick, email: r.a.broderick@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

Closes: 27/02/2025

Advert information