Postdoctoral Researcher

The University of Edinburgh - School of Genetics and Cancer

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: for 22 months

The Opportunity:

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.

We seek an outstanding postdoctoral fellow to join the group of Dr. Tom Deegan at the MRC Human Genetics Unit, within a programme aimed at understanding molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic chromosome replication. We work broadly across multiple themes in chromosome replication, including DNA replication termination, the role of accessory DNA helicases, how the MCM2-7 replicative helicase is assembled before DNA replication begins, and the remodelling of replication forks in response to replisome stalling. For examples of our recent studies in these areas see Deegan et al, Mol. Cell., 2019, Deegan et al, eLife, 2020, Jenkyn-Bedford et al, Nature, 2021, Olson et al., EMBO J. 2024.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• Strong interest in DNA replication and/or chromosome biology and/or genome integrity.
• Experience in protein and nucleic acid biochemistry including complex biochemical reconstitutions of DNA replication.
• Ph.D. (or near completion) in a relevant science subject.
• Proven track record of publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

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 student’s performance and wellbeing.

People have always been at the heart of our work. As part of the University, you are a part of our community. We are looking for people with drive, determination, and a passion for what they do. We are a place where everyone is welcome and offer a range of policies and benefits designed to support you in building the right flexibility for you.

A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:

• Professional development and subject matter expertise
• Leading-edge research
• Working within one of the world’s leading universities
• Good salary
• Responsibility and autonomy
• Contributing to the work and purpose of the University.

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: 26/03/2026, 23:59