Job Description
Grade UE07: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum
CSE / School of Biological Sciences / Institute of Cell Biology
Full Time: 35 hours per week
Fixed Term: 36 months
We are looking for a postdoc candidate to lead an innovative research project that integrates kinetochore biology with neuroscience. This project builds on the pioneering discoveries made by the Cheerambathur Lab on the novel roles of kinetochore proteins in brain development and explores how the chromosome segregation machinery is reutilized in post-mitotic neurons to construct and repair neural circuits.
Our research shows that kinetochore proteins, traditionally known for segregating chromosomes during cell division, serve as critical cytoplasmic regulators of neuronal cytoskeleton — impacting dendrite patterning, axonal guidance and synaptogenesis, and neuronal regeneration ( Cheerambathur et al. , Ouzounidis et al. , Domingos et al. ). By leveraging the well-established neuronal model,
C. elegans as a primary discovery tool and translating key findings to more complex vertebrate neural circuits, we aim to uncover the unknown functions of kinetochores in these major neuronal processes.
The Opportunity
We specialize in integrating multi-disciplinary approaches, combining the latest in genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry to unravel the mechanistic underpinnings of neuronal processes. Importantly, this position offers a unique opportunity to develop an independent research program in a very novel area of biology, focusing on how the kinetochore and the cytoskeleton interact to influence major neurodevelopmental processes across various organisms.
We are particularly looking for candidates with experience working with the
C. elegans model system and in vitro biochemical assays.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
- Strong motivation to contribute to a novel area of cell biology and neurobiology.
- Strong organizational, communication and critical thinking skills.
- Command of standard techniques in molecular biology and cell culture (mammalian cells) and/model organisms.
- Expertise & training in the following: cell biology, live-cell and quantitative fluorescence microscopy, quantitative image analysis, electron microscopy, biochemical methods, genome engineering, mass photometer and data handling.
- A publication record is strongly desired.
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Application Information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
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, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total 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
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The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is
7th August 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
About Us
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.
About The Team
As the modern inheritors of our 400-year-old reputation for excellence, our staff and students contribute to a vibrant academic community whose visions are shaping tomorrow’s world. The School of Biological Sciences is at the leading edge in teaching, research and innovation. Independent rankings such as the Times Higher Education consistently place us amongst the top 25 universities in the world for biological sciences. We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and to recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development opportunities for all staff. We place a particular focus on development for early-career researchers (postgraduate and postdoctoral research staff and personal fellowship holders), offering mentoring and an active ‘BioDocSoc’ organisation that brings together researchers for networking, events and training opportunities.
The School of Biological Sciences holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.
Our website contains more information about the School.
