Research Assistant/Research Associate (Fixed Term) at University of Cambridge

We are looking to appoint a core-funded Research Assistant or postdoctoral Research Associate to generate single-cell transcriptomic data at the level of the individual T or B lymphocyte clone from mouse samples.

The post will be ideal for someone seeking experience in mouse immunology and keen to develop skills and experience in single-cell RNA sequencing. However, motivated candidates with a strong background in transcriptome library generation, mathematics/statistics, species ecology, or other relevant background, who are keen to extend their skills are encouraged to apply.

The Thaventhiran group contrasts the adaptive immune response of infection with sterile inflammatory challenges such as cancer and toxic injury. Our investigation of rare patients with monogenic causes of immune dysregulation has identified a number of genes that are immune checkpoints, since their loss-of function leads to adaptive immune cell activation (Spencer et al., J. Exp. Med.,  2019; Thaventhiran et al., Nature, 2020). This has generated hypotheses regarding how the consequences of antigen-receptor signalling are modified by immune checkpoints. We have studied lymphocytes clonally responding to specific challenges, using single-cell RNA sequencing, in both mouse and human samples. Our interests have expanded to include the anti-COVID-19 antigen-specific cellular immune response (Buckland et al., Nature Comms., 2020, van der Klaauw et al., Nature Med. 2023, Yam-Puc et al., Nature Comms., 2023) and currently the lab is leading the SCORPIO study. (www.ukri.org/news/five-new-covid-19-vaccine-research-projects-announced). Of particular relevance to this post is our preprint describing the AgRSR mouse (Takahshi et al., 2023). Interested candidates are strongly advised to get in contact with the PI Dr. James Thaventhiran (jedt2@cam.ac.uk) or Munetomo Takahashi (mt739@cam.ac.uk).

The MRC Toxicology Unit is an internationally renowned institution focused on the delivery of field-changing mechanistic insights into toxicology and disease. The Unit is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment including single cell RNA sequencing, advanced flow-cytometry, super resolution microscopy and offers excellent opportunities for postdoctoral development.

Applicants must hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in a relevant discipline such as immunology, computational biology, bioinformatics, ecology, or infectious disease. Where a PhD has yet to be awarded or submitted, appointment will initially be made as a Research Assistant and amended to Research Associate when a PhD is awarded. Those without a PhD may also be considered as a research assistant.

Numerous scientists will work alongside the post-holder and complement their skills, therefore working as part of a team within the laboratory environment is an essential attribute. The ability to work independently, within the scope of the candidates existing expertise, together with excellent communication and critical thinking skills are also essential.

Further information on the Toxicology Unit can be found at (www.mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/42125

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact hradmin@mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PU37771 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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