(fixed-term)

Salary: Starting from £30,728, rising to £36,661
Closing Date: Wednesday 22 January 2014
Interview Date: Friday 31 January 2014
Reference: VH2115

Applications are invited for the post of Post-doctoral Research Fellow in Developmental Genetics based in the Department of Biology & Biochemistry within the Faculty of Science at the University of Bath, one of the UK’s most prestigious universities. You will undertake research in a vibrant, inter-disciplinary research environment with an excellent international reputation.

You will be an important member of an interdisciplinary research team investigating stem cell fate specification and differentiation in vivo using zebrafish. In particular, the project focuses on developing a quantitative understanding of the gene regulatory network controlling fate choice from bipotent precursors in the neural crest, and exploring how the output of these networks is affected by stochastic fluctuations (noise) in gene expression. This is an exciting BBSRC-funded collaboration between the University of Bath (Prof Robert Kelsh (Developmental Genetics) and Dr Hartmut Schwetlick (Applied Mathematics) and the University of Surrey (Dr Andrea Rocco – FHMS, Mathematical Biology) utilising and developing a Systems Biology approach, with strong interactions between experimental and theoretical components.

The post-holder, based in Bath in the group of Prof. Kelsh, but closely interacting with Drs Schwetlick and Rocco, will be responsible for the experimental aspects of the project. The main responsibility of the role will be to apply a combination of experimental approaches in zebrafish embryos to define, quantitate and experimentally manipulate the gene regulatory network driving fate specification and differentiation in neural crest development. The post holder is expected to liaise with the mathematical modelling teams in Bath and Surrey, providing experimental input to allow them to develop mathematical models of the network, to validate them, and to inspire appropriate follow-up experiments.

Candidates for this post should have a PhD in Developmental Genetics or a related discipline, excellent molecular biology skills, and be keen to work at the interface between mathematical modelling and biological sciences. Experience of zebrafish genetic manipulation (e.g. CRISPRs, transgenesis), transcriptomics or epigenetics, neural crest development, and/or of working successfully in an interdisciplinary environment with mathematicians will be highly advantageous.

In addition to salary you will receive a generous annual leave entitlement and excellent development opportunities. Benefits package includes pension, childcare assistance and leisure facilities. Both the Department and the University are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive working environment.