Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Where curiosity becomes impact.

Join the University of Edinburgh and you’ll be making a difference to everything around you. Be part of something bigger — where you’ll do meaningful work, grow and progress, be rewarded and recognised, and benefit from our strong commitment to your wellbeing. There are so many reasons to join us.

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where academics can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area. We offer the full range of academic roles and have a genuine focus on our students performance and wellbeing.

The Opportunity:

This is an excellent opportunity for a post-doctoral researcher to join an established and dynamic research project funded by Worldwide Cancer Research: Nucleoli, inflammation and cancer risk: does size matter? The Stark lab works at the interface between fundamental molecular biology and translational cancer research, with a focus on the links between ageing, nucleoli, inflammation and cancer. In collaboration with leading experts at the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle, we are applying multiplex immunohistochemistry to unique human and animal tissue cohorts, alongside phenotypic assays and molecular analyses, to interrogate these relationships.

The project is now at a particularly exciting and pivotal stage. Foundational datasets and key experimental platforms are in place, and we are moving into the discovery phase, where emerging findings will be supported by mechanistic insights. This next phase will be critical in defining how age-associated nucleolar changes contribute to cancer risk and in identifying biological markers and potential interventions relevant to ageing populations. The successful candidate will therefore join at a moment where they can shape the mechanistic direction of the work and contribute to discoveries with significant translational impact.

We warmly welcome applications from researchers with strong expertise in cancer cell signalling and data analysis, who are eager to apply their skills in an interdisciplinary setting. While a background in high-content image analysis is advantageous, it is not a strict requirement. This project will allow you to deliver an ambitious and impactful research agenda and develop a strong research profile, placing you in an excellent position to take the next important step in your academic career.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• A PhD in cancer biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• Expertise in the molecular dissection of cancer cell signalling pathways.
• Experience using molecular and cellular biology approaches, including quantitative imaging and image analysis.
• A working knowledge of data analysis and bioinformatics approaches relevant to molecular and cell signalling studies.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated initiative and independence in managing research projects, with strong organisational and project management skills.
• A developing track record of high-quality research outputs, with evidence of rigorous and interdisciplinary scholarship.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

Apply Before: 30/04/2026, 23:59