Job Description
Position Details
Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2031
Closing date: 10th March 2026
Background
To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project.
This BBSRC (sLoLa) - funded post is established to study the semantic rules of developmental gene expression control. The post holder will be part of a multi-disciplinary consortium team (6 institutions in the UK) and work within the Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences. Their main role will be to apply and develop new methods for precise genome manipulation to create transgenic reporter models for asking questions about transcriptional regulation mechanisms of developmental gene expression. They will apply molecular phenotyping approaches such as high resolution genomics technologies in zebrafish embryo models. They will perform and develop cell resolution genomics assays (e.g. CAGE-seq and ATAC-seq) for analysing gene expression and gene regulatory element dynamics. They lead the Birmingham subteam including supervision of PhD student(s) and will work in close collaboration with experts at Edinburg University, Imperial, Manchester University and other partners in computational biology, genome editing and genome synthesis technologies. The post is available for 3 years in the first instance.
Role Summary
Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
Operate within area of functional genomics and developmental genetics
Analyse and interpret research findings and results by embryo phenotyping by genomics and imaging tools, publish high quality new results in peer reviewed journals
Contribute to generating funding for further research in the area
Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
Contribute to writing bids for research funding
Analyse and interpret genomics, embryo phenotyping and developmental genetic data
Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding of transcription control
Disseminate research findings for peer reviewed publication, research seminars conferences and consortium meetings
Supervise junior colleagues including PhD students on wet lab research and provide guidance where appropriate to the developmental genetics, functional genomics
Develop new models, techniques and methods in genome editing and manipulation, in vivo phenotyping
Design subprojects and associated experiments, develop new research studies and develop new projects within the research topic
Undertake management/administration arising from research within the consortium and the wider research team and lead the subgroup working within the project
Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews
Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and lead the work of students who may be assisting with the research
Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
First degree in biology or related subject and normally, a PhD in biomedical research area or equivalent qualifications
High level analytical capability
Ability to communicate complex information clearly
Fluency in embryo model (preferably zebrafish) associated genome manipulation techniques and ability to contribute to developing new ones including base and prime editing, site specific recombination technologies
Fluency in genetic manipulation tools applied in developmental genetics,
Ability to work with complex in vivo models (e.g. zebrafish embryos)
Practical experience with molecular phenotyping by single cell and bulk genomics library preparation, sequencing and experience with NGS data analysis
Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
Evidence of researcher capabilities in the form of major contributions (e.g first author) to peer reviewed publication(s)
Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
Contribute to the planning and or leading and organising of the elements of the research programme and/or specific research project
Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
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
Further particulars can be found here
Informal enquiries to Ferenc Mueller, email:
Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .