Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Department/Location: Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (SBS)

Applications are invited to join a dynamic team led by Prof Sanjay Sinha (https://www.sinha-lab.org/ and https://www.stemcells.cam.ac.uk/people/pi/sinha), to investigate coronary artery smooth muscle cell (SMC) development and its role in atherosclerosis using human stem cell-based models and state-of-the-art bioinformatics. 

In the proposed project, we will explore the hypothesis that the metaplastic SMC response in atherosclerosis is a re-enactment of embryonic processes. That some SMCs in human coronary atherosclerosis de-differentiate to immature cells akin to embryonic precursor cells in the developing heart, which subsequently proliferate and re-differentiate to produce the mesenchymal cell types that build the atherosclerotic plaque. To test this idea, we have partnered with Prof Jacob Bentzon's group (Univ of Aarhus, Denmark) who specialises in atherosclerosis and the PDRA will work closely with the Bentzon group towards the project aims. 

The Sinha lab has extensive expertise on using pluripotent stem cell-based systems to generate cardiovascular cells (Cheung et al Nature Biotech 2012, Iyer et al Development 2015, Bargehr et al Nature Biotech 2019) and have recently generated a high resolution multi-omic atlas of the developing human heart (Bayraktar et al BioRxiv 2024 Cranley et al BioRxiv 2024). These approaches will be used to generate coronary SMCs in vitro and to understand how metaplastic differentiation may impact atherosclerosis development. 

Please reach out to Prof S Sinha (Sinha@stemcells.cam.ac.uk) if you have further questions about this position. 

About You 

The successful candidate will be highly motivated, collaborative and have expertise in cell biology and bioinformatics. Prior experience with human pluripotent stem cells and/or vascular biology is highly desirable but not essential. 

Appointment at Research Associate is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level (grade 5), which will be amended to Research Associate (grade 7) once PhD has been awarded. 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31/08/2027 in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check. 

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the apply button above.

Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD.  

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,132) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award. 

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. 

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager. 

Closing date: 31st March 2025 

Interview date: 16th April 2025 

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.

Advert information