"Research Associate - Chemical Biologist x 2 (Fixed Term)"

University of Cambridge - Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral chemical biologist to work with Professor Sir Shankar Balasubramanian on the chemical biology of nucleic acids, funded by Cancer Research UK. The successful applicant will work on an interdisciplinary project to elucidate the function and biological mechanisms of four-stranded DNA G-quadruplexes and to investigate their potential as therapeutic targets and biomarkers of cancer. See DOI: 10.1016/j.trechm.2019.07.002, DOI: 10.1038/s41557-025-01792-1, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320240121 and https://www.balasubramanian.co.uk for further information.

Applicants must have a background in chemical biology, with strong interest in DNA-related mechanisms. Experience in biochemistry, molecular biology and nucleic acid-protein interactions would be highly desirable. We seek a highly-motivated individual with good communication skills and a capacity for innovation and creativity, who is able to work well as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Candidates should have (or be about to receive) a PhD in a relevant discipline.

The position is available from 1st March 2026.

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

Please ensure that you upload a 2-page Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter that explains your motivations for the position and publications list in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

For queries regarding this post, please contact Jo Lockhart, Science Administrator to the Balasubramanian group, email: BalasubramanianRecruitment@ch.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference MA48583 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

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.