Research Assistant

Grade UE06: £34,610 - £39,906 per annum

CMVM / Institute of Genetics and Cancer

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: 18 months contract 
 

The Opportunity

An exciting research assistant position is available to research the role of epigenetic marks in gene regulation.

We are looking for a self-motivated, enthusiastic research assistant to join the laboratory of Dr Duncan Sproul at the University of Edinburgh’s Institute of Genetics and Cancer and support research into the role of DNA methylation in gene regulation. This project is a close collaboration with 3 other groups based at the Universities of Edinburgh and Exeter. 

We have recently characterised mutations that prevent the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B from being recruited to actively transcribed gene bodies (Taglini et al. 2024, EMBO Reports 25:1130, DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00061-5). Our new project will use this knowledge combined with recently developed synthetic approaches as an entry point to probe the non-canonical regulation of transcription by DNA methylation within gene bodies and its functional impact on cellular phenotypes.

The successful candidate will work with the Sproul and collaborating laboratories as part of a successful multidisciplinary research team. This role will have a particular emphasis on the use of synthetic vector libraries combined with cellular landing pads high throughput sequencing data of variant libraries from mammalian cells.

Candidates who have a degree in a relevant subject and have experience in laboratory research in the areas of molecular biology, cellular biology or biochemistry are invited to apply. Applicants must possess the ability to work with others as part of an interdisciplinary research team to support research projects towards publication. Candidates with prior experience of research in the fields of epigenomics, gene regulation and/or the use of synthetic approaches in these fields are particularly welcome.

The post is full-time (35 hours per week) and funding is available from 1st January 2027 for 1.5 years pending review after 6 months.

Further details of work from the Sproul research group are available at:

https://institute-genetics-cancer.ed.ac.uk/research/research-groups-a-z/sproul-group
 

Click to view a copy of the full Job Description.

 

How to apply

Please include the following documents in your application:

- CV

- Cover letter

- Details of 2 referees

The cover letter and CV should clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect: 

• A competitive salary. 
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. 
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits. 

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality. 

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 23rd October 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone. 

We aim to hold interviews during the period 9th November 2026.

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally. The School of Genetics and Cancer is one of the six Schools that make up the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (CMVM). The School is home to the Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC) whose goals are to carry out excellent genetic, genomic, cellular and clinical science, so that we contribute significantly to the understanding of human development, physiology and disease, and apply this knowledge for the benefit of patients and society. The IGC is one of the College’s five world-leading research institutes. The teams in the six CMVM Schools work together to build outstanding discovery and translational research programmes designed to answer the major challenges facing humanity, animal and planetary health, now and in the future. The College’s undergraduate and postgraduate teaching is delivered through Edinburgh Medical School and the Royal (Dick) School of Medical Studies with contributions from all six schools.
To find out more visit: School of Genetics and Cancer webpage (https://medicine-vet-medicine.ed.ac.uk/school-of-genetics-and-cancer) (opens a new browser tab).