Research Associate - Genome Editing Unit

Applications are invited for a Research Associate - Genome Editing Unit position to work with investigators at the Discovery Research Platform for Cell-Matrix Biology.

This is a full time appointment starting 1 July 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter, and is for a fixed term until June 2027. Should the appointment prove successful, there is an opportunity for a further 4 years.

The Manchester Cell Matrix Centre (MCMC) brings together diverse research groups with academic, technology and computational expertise to overcome barriers in extracellular matrix research. Extracellular matrix is essential for multicellular life, it surrounds and supports cells and accounts for one third of our body mass. Defining the principles that govern the two-way interaction between cells and matrix is fundamental to understanding vertebrate development, healthy ageing, and identifying why tissue failure is a major factor in most chronic diseases.

Located at The University of Manchester, the Centre incorporates one of eight Discovery Research Platforms recently awarded by the Wellcome Trust. The Discovery Research Platform for Cell-Matrix Biology will address practical, technological, and methodological barriers to understanding how changes in the extracellular matrix leads to tissue failure.

We are seeking driven and ambitious individuals to play a pivotal role in overcoming these barriers. Successful candidates will contribute to our bold vision to reprogramme extracellular matrix, which has the potential to lead to innovative new diagnostic tools and treatments for diseases such as cancer and fibrosis. The platform will embrace a Team Science approach and provide an exciting opportunity to work with groups from diverse research areas and collaborate across disciplines.

This role will support the development of novel technologies and approaches to investigate and better understand matrix biology, particularly in vivo. The successful applicant will liaise directly with Platform and Centre investigators, to understand their research goals and will devise novel experimental tools and strategies for Matrix biology research. Whilst the person will be a member of the GEU team based in the Michael Smith building, importantly we expect a proportion of the time will be spent working with Platform laboratories on defined projects. The appointee will be part of a larger consortium of technology focussed scientists within the Platform working on developing novel toolkits and approaches for cutting edge extracellular matrix research.

A key feature of the role will be to exploit our existing expertise in genetic manipulation technologies and to integrate and/or develop other cutting-edge GM techniques (e.g. base editing, prime editing, CRISPRi and CRISPRa, saturation mutagenesis, PROTACs, LYTACs etc) and genetically encoded reporter systems where required on relevant projects.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme


• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme


• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays


• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period


• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers


The School is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN charter for gender equality in higher education. The School holds a Silver Award which recognises their good practice in relation to gender; including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and support to allow staff achieve a good work-life balance. We particularly welcome applications from women for this post. Appointment will always be made on merit. For further information, please visit: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/about/equality/

Our University is positive about flexible working you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.