Postdoc Position at University of Cambridge

The Wellcome Trust – Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute is an international centre of excellence for stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Scientists in the Institute collaborate to advance our knowledge of various stem cell types and to perform pioneering work in translational research areas, providing the foundation for new medical treatments (https://www.stemcells.cam.ac.uk/).

We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher to join the research team of Dr. Maria Alcolea. Her team will investigate epithelial stem cell plasticity upon tissue regeneration and early cancer using oesophageal models.

In order to protect tissue integrity, epithelial cells have a significant ability to change and adapt their behaviour in response to changing tissue perturbations. Investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing this dynamic cell behaviour, and the potential implications for early cancer development represents the main focus of the lab.

We will utilise a combination of in vivo lineage tracing techniques using genetic mouse models, ex vivo 3D organ cultures, and single cell transcriptional network analysis to investigate how mesenchymal activation impacts on epithelial cell behaviour during the initial stages of tumour formation.

We are looking for candidates who hold a PhD, an equivalent research doctorate, or will obtain a PhD degree within six months in the field of biochemistry /molecular and cell biology /developmental biology.

1) Research experience since completion of PhD. 2) Background in molecular and cell biology. 3) Knowledge in genetic animal models. 4) At least one publication with first authorship would be preferable, but not a requirement. 5) Previous experience with in vivo models, gene manipulation and expression profiling, confocal imaging, single cell genomics and proteomics, disease modelling and primary tissue culture methods would be highly advantageous, but not essential.

We are specifically looking for candidates that have effective communication skills and the ability to work in a team. Proven capacity to design, execute, and interpret your own experiments is essential.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance.

The closing date is 28 February 2019, with interviews to be confirmed.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. 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.