"Research Assistant (Fixed Term)"

University of Cambridge - Department of Pathology

Placed On: 17th March 2026

Closes: 6th April 2026

Job Ref: PK49053

Fixed-term: The post is available for two years in the first instance starting 01 May 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter and subject to a 6-month probationary period.

We are looking for a research assistant to join Prof Christina Zielinski's group to work on the regulation of human T helper cells in health and disease. The prospective candidate will have the opportunity to engage in translational research to dissect novel T cell functions and their molecular regulation in settings of cancer, autoimmunity and infections. Specifically, the team is currently studying the fate of human T cells across various human tissues.

The post is a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic research assistant with a First or Master's degree to gain more experience in research in human immunology before progressing to a PhD position but also to support the new team in setting up the lab in Cambridge with support in the organization and management of everyday activities including lab management. The candidate should have an aptitude for semi-independent laboratory work, which is well supported by the dynamic academic structure of the department. The candidate will also have the opportunity to work with scientific and clinical collaboration partners and help set up an infrastructure for patient sample acquisition and biobanking. The candidate should have very good skills in fundamental immunological techniques such as flow cytometry, ELISA, western blotting and cell culture, and also in the analysis of data obtained with these techniques. Bioinformatic skills in scRNAseq analysis are a plus. The candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing joint and individual projects and their publication.

Appointment at the Research Assistant level is dependent on the award of a First or Master's degree level.

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

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a motivation letter detailing project and career development plans and include a publications list in the upload section of the online application. Please provide contact details, including an email address of two referees. At least one of your referees should be someone who is familiar with your work in your primary research field. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

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.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

Informal enquiries and requests for further information are very welcome and should be addressed to Prof. Christina Zielinski cez22@cam.ac.uk

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact: hr@path.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PK49053 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.