Postdoctoral Research Associate in determining mechanisms of centromere seeding and inheritance

**Pay Scale:** STANDARD RESEARCH GRADE 7



**Salary ( £)**: £41, 997 – £46,913 per annum



**Location:** Department of Biochemistry, South Parks Road, Oxford



**Contract type:** Fixed Term Contract for up to 2 years in the first instance



**Hours:** Full Time (37.5 hours per week)





**About the role**





We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and driven Postdoctoral Research
Associate who is keen to develop a career in research and discovery, to join
the lab of Professor Lars Jansen. You will have a background in broad areas of
molecular and cell biology with experience in hypothesis-driven, mechanistic
research. Centromeres are a paradigm in chromatin-based inheritance and offer
a unique opportunity to discover principles of epigenetic memory. As part of
the Jansen lab, you will be integrated into a dynamic team working on CENP-A
chromatin assembly and inheritance. Projects we can explore include
discovering how the histone variant CENP-A assembles selectively at
centromeres, how neocentromeres form, defining the role of alpha-satellite
DNA, and determining the cell cycle control mechanisms that ensure the stable
transmission of centromeric chromatin. You will be based at the Department of
Biochemistry, a world-class research facility featuring the latest techniques
in NGS, imaging, and proteomics. We are an open science, collaborative, and
inclusive team fostering career development. Projects will involve
opportunities to further develop your skills in chromatin dynamics, high-end
live cell imaging, and the latest genomics technologies, including nanopore
long-read sequencing.





You will be based in the open-plan laboratories located in the Department of
Biochemistry, embedded within the Oxford science campus, walking distance of
other departments, colleges, shops, museums, and parks. The Jansen lab
organizes regular group meetings and journal clubs, presents at departmental
seminar series and national/international conferences. We also closely
collaborate with Dominika Gruszka, a single-molecule expert at the Kavli
Institute, with whom we will have joint meetings and collaborative projects.





This full-time fixed-term post is funded by the Wellcome Trust for up to 2
years in the first instance, with the possibility of further extension subject
to the availability of funds.





The actual starting salary offered will be based on qualifications and
relevant skills acquired and will also be determined by the funding available.





**What We Offer**





Your happiness and wellbeing at work matters to us, so we offer a range of
family friendly and financial benefits including:





• An excellent contributory pension scheme



• 38 days annual leave



• A comprehensive range of childcare services



• Family leave schemes



• Cycle loan scheme



• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs



• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans





The University also runs an enormous amount of social groups and sports clubs
for those looking for more than just a great place to work.





**About you**





You will hold a PhD/DPhil or be near completion of a PhD/DPhil in a relevant
subject area and have sufficient and relevant specialist knowledge to
participate in the research programme. Experience in hypothesis-driven
mechanistic research is essential as is having extensive experience in the
area of molecular and cellular biology, using genomics, ChIP and Cut&Run-seq,
fluorescent imaging and genetic engineering of cells in culture. You will have
the ability to manage your own academic research and associated activities and
have previous experience of contributing to publications. Contribution of
ideas for new research projects and research income generation is expected, as
is having excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for
publication, present research proposals and represent the research group at
meetings.





**Application Process**





Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via www.recruit.ox.ac.uk
and Vacancy ID 177178. You will be required to upload your curriculum vitae
and a supporting statement, setting out how you meet the selection criteria
for the post, using examples of your skills and experience. As part of your
application, you will be asked to provide details of two referees and indicate
whether we can contact them now.





For further details, please refer to the How to apply section of the job
description. Any further enquires may be directed to
recruitment@bioch.ox.ac.uk.





The closing date for applications is **12:00 noon** on **Wednesday 15th
January 2025**. Only applications received before this time can be considered.
Interviews for shortlisted candidates to be held on as soon as possible
thereafter.





**Committed to equality and valuing diversity**