This is a unique opportunity to carry out a period of clinical postdoctoral research focused on developing and validating new treatments and biomarkers for mitochondrial disorders, as part of a new national rare disease centre funded by LifeArc and MDUK.
The Cambridge Clinical Mitochondrial Research Group (MitoCAMB) studies the genetic basis, clinical presentation and molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial diseases and other rare inherited neurodegenerative/neuromuscular disorders. Our research group is embedded within the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge. We develop new and effective treatments for affected patients through investigator-led experimental medicine studies, novel gene therapy approaches, and early phase clinical trials.
The group was recently awarded a £7.5 million LifeArc Translational Rare Disease Centres Award for the next 5 years with our partners at UCL, the University of Newcastle, the Lily Foundation and MDUK. Together, we have established a national platform to translate novel treatment strategies and biomarkers into clinical trials. This platform will improve mitochondrial disease diagnosis nation-wide, connecting patient groups, knowledge and infrastructure to accelerate the clinical translation of new treatments.
We have an extensive pre-clinical discovery science programme focussed on understanding the genetic basis of undiagnosed mitochondrial and neurogenetic disorders using whole genome and single cell sequencing, animal and cellular models including human organoids, computational biology and informatics. Our laboratory research is translational, generating new insights that we develop for clinical impact through MitoCAMB.
We are recruiting a Clinical Research Associate under the supervision of Professor Patrick Chinnery, Professor Rita Horvath and Dr Jelle van den Ameele. The post-holder will support and drive several ongoing and new academic-led and commercial studies and clinical trials in mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases. They will have the opportunity to develop clinical, laboratory and computational skills that would underpin their own emerging research programme. The post-holder will also have the opportunity to participate in the mitochondrial/neurogenetics NHS clinic at Addenbrooke's Hospital and additional NHS services and on-call rotas.
An Honorary Clinical Contract will be sought from CUH NHS Foundation Trust, for which a DBS check will be required.
The post is available for 2 years with the potential to convert to a 4 year ACL. The successful applicant must have a PhD and have completed general medical training, hold MRCP or equivalent, and preferably be a registered medical practitioner permitted to practise in the UK or be willing to work towards this. We encourage applications from any medical specialty and from any career grade.
Enquiries for further information are welcome and should be sent to Professor Patrick Chinnery, Professor Rita Horvath or Dr Jelle van den Ameele at:,, or
This is an integrated appointment between the University and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust ("NHS Trust"). You will therefore also be issued with an Honorary Clinical Contract by the NHS Trust. You should be aware that if your contract with the NHS Trust is terminated your employment with the University will be terminated, and vice versa.
Please ensure that you upload a covering letter, CV and a completed Additional Information for Clinical Researchers form in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.
Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager
Closing date: 26th October 2025
Interview date: 7th November 2025
For information about how your personal data is used as an applicant, please see the section on Applicant Data ) on our HR web pages.
Please quote reference ZE45253 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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.
Key information
Department/location
Department of Clinical Neurosciences
Salary
£36,616-£70,425
Reference
ZE45253
Category
Research
Date published
26 September 2025
Closing date
26 October 2025