We invite applications for a 2-year Postdoctoral Research Associate position in Nucleic Acid Computing and Molecular Programming in the laboratory of Dr Gamze Gürsoy at the University of Cambridge.
This is a primarily experimental, wet-lab position. Although Dr Gürsoy's primary academic appointment is in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), she also runs a wet laboratory in the Department of Genetics, where the successful candidate will be based and conduct their day-to-day experimental research. The position is intended for a researcher with a strong experimental background in synthetic biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or molecular engineering, rather than someone seeking a primarily computational role.
The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research programme at the interface of biochemistry, molecular biology, biomolecular engineering, and synthetic biology. Our goal is to develop scalable molecular and synthetic biology tools for genome engineering, applying these technologies to the exciting and emerging challenge of genetic privacy. This research brings the design and engineering of programmable molecular systems to develop fundamentally new ways of protecting genetic information.
The postholder will develop programmable nucleic-acid systems that sense defined human genomic sequences and convert those molecular recognition events into engineered DNA outputs. The broader aim is to develop molecular systems in which useful genetic information can be measured while limiting direct exposure of the underlying genomic sequence. The successful candidate will help design, build, experimentally validate, and iteratively improve these systems, and extend them toward robust, multiplexed applications.
The majority of the postholder's time will be spent conducting hands-on experimental research at the bench in the Department of Genetics. We are looking for a researcher who enjoys designing, constructing, and troubleshooting novel molecular systems, rather than simply applying established protocols. The postholder will also engage directly with quantitative data generated by their experiments, analysing assay performance, identifying failure modes, comparing alternative designs, and using these results to guide subsequent experimental iterations.
The appointee will be expected to plan and manage their own research and administration, with guidance from the PI as required. They will take an active role in the research group, contribute to graduate student research skills, and participate in seminars, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaborations across molecular biology, synthetic biology, computational biology, applied mathematics, and genomic privacy. They will also be encouraged to develop independent research directions and pursue fellowship funding, with mentorship and support from the PI.
Applicants should possess, or be close to completing, a PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, chemical biology, bioengineering, synthetic biology, biotechnology, or a closely related experimental field.
Department/location
Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics
Salary
£38,448-£44,352
Reference
LE51105
Category
Research
Date published
29 October 2026
Closing date
20 November 2026
The essential qualification is demonstrated hands-on experience designing and experimentally testing nucleic-acid systems beyond routine or predominantly kit-based molecular biology. We are particularly interested in candidates who have reasoned explicitly about nucleic-acid sequence, structure, molecular recognition, enzymatic activity, and function, and translated those ideas into new experimental systems.
Refer to the Further Particulars (page 4) for the full essential and desirable criteria. Experience in all of these areas is not expected. We are more interested in evidence of creative, design-driven molecular thinking and strong experimental problem-solving than in any particular technology.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Please provide the contact details (including email addresses) of two academic referees on the online application form and upload a full curriculum vitae and a description of your recent research (not to exceed three pages).
Please ensure that at least one of your referees is contactable at any time during the selection process and is aware that they will be contacted by the Mathematics HR Administrator to upload a reference to our Web Recruitment System. Please encourage them to do so promptly.
Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Dr Gamze Gursoy at gg584@cam.ac.uk.
If you have any queries about the application process, please email LE51105@maths.cam.ac.uk.
Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date.
Please quote reference LE51105 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.