Postdoctoral Fellow

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

Postdoctoral Fellow - Functional Genomics

About the Role 

AstraZeneca and the Matt Hurles team at the Wellcome Sanger Institute have joined forces to explore novel and exciting therapeutic targets, to understand the impact of existing genetic variation on protein function, human health and disease. 

We are looking for a motivated postdoctoral fellow to join the Hurles group, based at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, to develop and apply large-scale cellular and molecular methodologies to answering these fundamental questions about disease biology. 

The 2-year post is based at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. 

Emerging technologies such as Saturation Genome Editing, CROPseq , and Prime Editing allow us to address fundamental questions about coding and non-coding genetic variation: What existing variation in the human genome is impacting health and disease? Which individuals are at risk, or protected from disease due to their genetic make-up? What genetic factors impact on severity in genetic diseases?

Leveraging expertise developed at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the project will involve applying CRISPR/CAS9-based Saturation Genome Editing and related assays to assess genetic variant effects in disease-associated proteins of joint interest to AstraZeneca and the Hurles group. 

Through a combination of wet lab experimentation, pipelined screening opportunities, and bioinformatic analyses, you will explore the effect of genetic variation on common and rare disease-associated genes, leading to better diagnostics and therapeutics, and gain valuable experience at the interface between academia and industry. Regular meetings with AstraZeneca will provide strategic project guidance, and insight into their perspectives on tackling therapeutic targets. 

About You 

Essential Technical Skills

• PhD in the relevant subject area, or on track to be awarded your PhD within 6 months of starting the role 
• Proven ability to deliver research projects 
• A track record of demonstrating research excellence and expertise in your area of research 
• Knowledge, skills and experience in both cell culture and of CRISPR methods
• Ability to analyse and interpret data with strong quantitative/computational skills 
• Bioinformatics skills 
• Previous work experience in a molecular biology laboratory 
• Motivation and ability to learn new skills, and innovate in experimental and analytical settings.
• Experience with core molecular biology techniques, including PCR, DNA/library cloning and DNA extraction.

Please contact Sebastian Gerety (sg13@sanger.ac.uk) for more information.

Additional information

Application - please apply with your CV and cover letter, detailing how you meet the essential criteria required

Salary - £38,000 - £49,156 dependent on skills and experience

Closing date - 7th June 2024

Contract - 2 years 

Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

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Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

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