Job Description

Job Category: Academic
:
Grade UE07: 41,064 to 48,822 per annum
CMVM / Human Genetics Unit
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed-term: 2 years
The Opportunity
Transcription-enhanced genome damage in human disease
Transcribed genes are thought to be privileged genomic regions protected from DNA damage and mutation by transcription-coupled repair processes. However, our recent work has demonstrated that transcription in human cells can enhance DNA damage, leading to at least one mutational signature in cancer (Reijns et al, Nature 2022), and has also been detected in ageing brains.
This project will address how and why transcription-associated genome instability occurs in mammalian cells, its initiation and the processes shaping it. Using cellular and mouse model systems, the goal is to establish the role of transcription-induced damage in cancer, and other human diseases. It may also shed light on how DNA damage drives innate immune-mediated inflammation in Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome.
The post-holder will be part of a multidisciplinary team in the lab of Prof. Andrew Jackson, working in a cross-disciplinary environment that addresses both fundamental cellular processes and disease mechanisms. The research group is internationally diverse and strongly competitive consistently publishing in high-level journals including 5 papers published in Science and Nature in the last 10 years. The lab is embedded in the Institute of Genetics and Cancer, a highly collaborative and supportive environment.
For further details on the research group:
This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and is fixed term for 2 years.
The salary for this post is 41,064 to 48,822 per annum.
Click to view a copy of the full (opens new browser tab).
Application Information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter

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

(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 (opens new browser tab).
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 31st October 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.
Interviews will be held in November.
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:
A deep understanding of human genome function - particularly for the non-coding genome - is an outstanding grand challenge. Our mission is to discover how our genome controls the function of molecules, cells and tissues, in health and disease, connecting human genetic variation to phenotype.
Multidisciplinary HGU research programs embrace genetic, computational, biochemical, cellular, model organism and clinical approaches, to gain meaningful insights across scales and dynamic processes, with cross-cutting themes in 4D Cellular Medicine and Genome Interpretation.
To find out more visit
The MRC Human Genetics Unit is part of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC). This partnership with CRUK Edinburgh Centre and Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine Centre aims to understand development and disease by using the latest developments in genetic, genomic, cellular and clinical science. The partnership provides access to state of the art scientific facilities, scientific infrastructure and business support, including on site Advanced Imaging Resource, Animal Model support, Bioinformatics Analysis Core, DNA sequencing, Flow Cytometry, Mass Spectrometry, HTPU microarray. The IGC also offers a highly collegial environment with excellent local career development support, active social, wellbeing and sustainability related groups making it a very desirable and supportive working environment.
To find out more visit

Skills Required