The University of Cambridge wishes to appoint a talented postdoctoral research associate to join the research groups of Prof Patrick Chinnery, Prof Rita Horvath and Dr Jelle van den Ameele at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the John Van Geest Brain Repair Centre.

The position is part of a collaborative Wellcome Discovery Award, to characterise novel cellular models of mitochondrial disease, and use genetic screening approaches to characterise novel nuclear modifiers of disease progression. The focus of your work will be on studying how nuclear and mitochondrial DNA defects lead to tissue specific clinical presentations.

You will use cutting-edge technologies, including functional studies on neuronal and muscle stem cells and human organoids. RNA sequencing and other omics technologies will be performed to identify the molecular mechanism of mitochondrial diseases and other rare neurological diseases in children and adults. The over-arching aim of the research group is to develop new treatments for mitochondrial diseases and other inherited rare neuromuscular diseases using a combination of genomic, cell biology and specialized mitochondrial assays. You will have access to a team of experienced bioinformaticians, but have the opportunity to be trained and perform independent in-depth bioinformatic analysis. You will have access to clinical samples from the MitoCamb neurogenetics clinic, to apply and translate novel technology and insights towards a human disease context.

We anticipate this work will lead to high-profile publications based on our track-record: Nature Str Mol Biol 2026 PMID: 41922875; Science 2025 PMID: 41066576; Nature Medicine 2024 PIMID 8745010; Nat Comm 2023 PMID: 36823193, Cell 2023 PMID: 36827974; Nature 2022 PMID: 36198798.

Candidates are expected to be independent, highly motivated, and keen to work collaboratively with wet-lab and computational biologists within and outside the research groups. In addition to their own research, there will be opportunities for training and career development, and supervision of junior researchers.

The role will be located within the Horvath Group in the John Van Geest Brain Repair Centre on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, with state-of-the-art facilities available to group members.

The lab and the wider University of Cambridge are committed, in their pursuit of academic and research excellence, to a pro-active and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. Flexible working will be considered.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 September 2028 in the first instance.

Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,610) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.