Research Associate

University of Birmingham - College of Medicine and Health - School of Medical Sciences - Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences

Placed On: 9th February 2026
Closes: 1st March 2026
Job Ref: 106993

Position Details

Starting salary £33,002 to £35,608 with potential progression once in post to £39,906
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to January 2030

Job Summary

This 4 years position is available to carry out research within a Wellcome Trust-funded research programme, which aims to understand how transcription regulation of genes drives mRNA diversification and diverse mRNA fates. The post holder will carry out independent research with guidance and supervision equivalent to that provided for a PhD student and the post holder will be expected to enrol for a part time PhD programme with their research work caried out within the position.

Briefly, the post holder will carry out research in developmental genetics and aim to understand how transcription regulation control mRNA fates upon metabolic stress and metabolic regulation of development. They will manipulate gene regulatory elements (promoters) by transgenesis and by genome editing approaches (e.g. prime and base editing) in zebrafish embryos to ask questions about the roles of transcription regulatory elements and transcription factors in posttranscriptional mRNA fate control in development. The post holder will apply developmental biology tools (e.g. imaging mRNA and protein probes, next generation sequencing based transcriptome analyses) on zebrafish embryos and larvae and will work closely with research fellows working in the Wellcome-funded programme in the host laboratory. The postholder will gain experience not only with developmental genetics tools but will also learn about developmental genomics and computational biology approaches to analyse next generation sequencing data.

• Work within specified research grant (BBSRC funded sLola programme)
• Operate within area of developmental genetics/genomics
• Contribute as lead to peer reviewed publication(s)

Main Responsibilities

• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Analyse research data as directed
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Develop or adapt techniques, models and methods
• Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

As a minimum the key qualifications/skills/experience/memberships required.

• Degree or equivalent in relevant subject area
• Practical experience of applying the relevant skills and techniques
• Practical experience/ability with embryo genetics and embryo manipulation tools (e.g. transgenesis)
• Practical experience /ability with embryo phenotyping (e.g. molecular analyses of RNA and proteins, imaging while mount embryos, including in vivo imaging)
• Experience with next generation sequencing data generation
• Ability to write up the research for peer reviewed publication
• Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively
• Ability to access and organise resources successfully
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries can be made to Ferenc Mueller f.mueller@bham.ac.uk

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.