Research Associate / Senior Research Associate at University of Bristol

Salary:

£36,333 – £40,745 (Grade I);

£40,745 – £45,737 (Grade J) per annum (Depending on skills and experience)

Postdoc positions to study Cell Competition in Human embryonic and progenitor cells (2 positions available)

Two postdoc positions are available to study cell competition in human in vitro systems, including human cell lines, progenitor and embryonic stem cells. The positions are available in the lab of Professor Eugenia Piddini (https://piddinilab.org) with the goal to study the mechanisms of cell competition and how they impact tissue colonisation in health and in diseases like cancer. The lab  is funded by the Wellcome Trust and by Cancer Research UK.

Our group works on cell competition, a biological process akin to natural selection at the cellular level. Through cell competition, comparably less fit cells are eliminated and replaced by fitter cells and this acts as a quality control mechanism to remove damaged cells from tissues.

Over the past decade our group has identified several pathways that modulate cell competition. We have also discovered that cancer cells use cell competition to eliminate their non cancer neighbours and free space that they can expand into. We now aim to harness the molecular regulators of cell competition that we have discovered, to control cell competition in the development of novel anti-cancer or regenerative medicine therapies.

What will you be doing?

We aim to translate our cell competition discoveries into pre-clinically relevant models. Current tissues of interest include human cell lines and human embryonic and progenitor cells from various tissues.

If you are a talented and highly motivated individual with expertise in cell biology, CRISPR genomic screening, stem cell biology, stem cell/iPS culture or liver biology, we want to hear from you.

You should apply if

We are looking to recruit talented and highly motivated individuals with expertise in cell biology and stem cell and/or developmental biology, molecular biology, signal transduction and imaging, culture of human progenitor and organoid cells. Additional experience in one or more of the following is desirable: generation of human iPS cells from primary cells, CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, screening and knock-ins, culture of human retinal pigment epithelial cells or liver progenitor cells, quantitative cell biology and image analysis, next generation sequencing.

Applicants should be highly motivated and have a substantial track record of productivity and international experience. They should have a PhD in a relevant subject area or be close to completion of their degree.

The funds for these posts are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Additional information

Applications should include a CV and a brief statement outlining key areas of expertise and reasons why you would like to join our group. Informal enquiries can be addressed to Professor Eugenia Piddini: eugenia.piddini@bristol.ac.uk. The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

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.

Available documents