"Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term)"

Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term)

An exciting new opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Associate has become available within the Bivalve Transmissible Neoplasia Group (www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/btn), a newly-established small, interactive and international research team based at the Department of Zoology, with strong collaborative links with other groups in Cambridge and beyond. The group's research is focused on the genetics and evolution of a recently discovered family of clonally transmissible cancers which affect several species of marine bivalves.

This new position is part of a project examining genome evolution in multiple independent marine transmissible cancer clones. The role provides an exciting opportunity to combine molecular cytogenetics and statistical analysis to study the causes and consequences of extreme chromosomal instability in these cancers.

The role will involve:

• Collecting and dissecting live bivalves for the diagnosis of neoplasia
• Applying established cytometric methods for the isolation of neoplastic cells
• Optimising and applying cytogenetic methods for the generation of cell metaphase slides
• Obtaining high-quality fluorescence chromosome imaging data
• Developing and applying methods for quantitative analysis of chromosome imaging data
• Analysing patterns of chromosome presence/absence to infer rates and processes of chromosomal instability
• Setting up and optimising bivalve cell culture systems for biochemical and metabolic analyses.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, passionate about cancer genome biology and transmissible cancer evolution, and willing to learn, develop and apply state-of-the-art molecular, cellular and computational approaches. They will hold a PhD in a relevant subject, have a strong background in cancer research and experimental cell biology, have extensive experience with non-model organisms and challenging cellular systems, and be able to design, optimise and troubleshoot complex experimental settings. Please refer to the Further Particulars for more information.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for up to one year, with a start date of 1 July 2026.

The closing date for applications is 9th January 2026.

Interviews are due to be held in the week commencing 26th January 2026 and may be conducted remotely.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

We particularly welcome applications from women and / or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Dr Adrian Baez-Ortega ab2324@cam.ac.uk

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Paulina Lasocka hr@zoo.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference PF48124 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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.

Key information

• Department/location: Department of Zoology
• Salary: £37,694-£46,049
• Reference: PF48124
• Category: Research
• Date published: 24 December 2025
• Closing date: 9 January 2026

Download further information

• Further Particulars