Job Description

Location

Brighton, UK

Hours

Full-time considered up to a maximum of 1.0 FTE (36.5 hours) Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).

Salary

Grade 6 starting at 34,610 to 38,784 per annum, pro rata if part time.

Contract Type

Fixed Term Contract
About the role



You will join an MRC-funded lab performing research into how genome stability is maintained. As a research assistant, you will carry out and support research examining genome stability in particular stressful environments and genetic backgrounds, using fission yeast as a model organism.


Based in the School of Life Sciences, the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, a University Centre of Excellence, is an internationally renowned Institute carrying out research on the response of cells to DNA damage, genome instability and its relationship to disease. We provide a stimulating and supportive environment, and our expertise covers a range of experimental systems.



About you



This project is suitable for a candidate who has completed a BSc degree in Biology, Molecular Biology or related area and has an interest in, and preferably an MSc in Cancer Cell Biology. You will have hands-on experience of fission yeast genetics and detecting and measuring mutation rates. Additional practical experience in molecular biology and sequencing technology would be advantageous.


You will work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team and wider network of academic and clinical collaborators, actively participating in scientific discussions and contributing to dissemination of the research. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential.


The successful candidate will bring the enthusiasm, initiative, and organisational skills needed to drive the project forward, while contributing to a supportive, inclusive research environment.



About our School



In the School of Life Sciences we strive to understand the mechanisms that drive biological and chemical processes and to develop innovative and diverse approaches to enhance human health, technology and the environment. We undertake multidisciplinary research, teaching and engagement across a wide range of subjects, from Chemistry through Cellular and Molecular Biosciences to Conservation Biology.


The School comprises five Departments: Biochemistry & Biomedicine, Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Neuroscience, Ecology & Evolution and Chemistry. We also house the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre which works to deliver the bench-to-bedside translation of our discoveries. The breadth and depth of our cutting-edge research and innovative teaching practice is delivered by a diverse community who work across boundaries to deliver excellence, engage with real world problems and produce impact.


We pride ourselves on our world-leading research and have a strong research economy, with approximately 50% of our income stemming from research and an active grant portfolio of over 50 million. We host or form part of three University Centres of Excellence: the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Sussex Neuroscience and Sussex Sustainability Research Programme. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 90.6 % of our Biological Sciences outputs and 84.8% of our Chemistry outputs were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. We are proud that in both areas, 100% of our Impact cases were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.


The School is committed to the University's core values of kindness, integrity, inclusion, collaboration and courage. We believe that equality, diversity and inclusion is everyone's responsibility and aim to provide a friendly and supportive environment for all who work, study and visit the School of Life Sciences.



The School of Life Sciences is proud to hold a Silver Athena Swan Award.



Why work here



Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.


Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it's our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.



Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion



Further Key Information



Please contact Prof. Timothy Humphrey (timothy.humphrey@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.


Please include a full CV with the application.


The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.


Please note that this position may be subject to ATAS clearance if you require visa sponsorship.



The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.


Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role may be eligible for sponsorship. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.




October 5, 2025 5:59 PM

Expected Interview Date

To Be Confirmed

Expected Start Date

As Soon As Possible.

Fixed Term Contract Duration

Fixed Term until 31 March 2026.