Job Description

The University of Cambridge wishes to appoint a motivated research assistant to join the research group of Dr Jelle van den Ameele at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit.


The position is part of a large collaborative Wellcome Discovery Award, focused on understanding how cells and tissues cope with mitochondrial dysfunction. The developing brain of Drosophila and mouse are our favourite model systems, where we study various aspects of mitochondrial and neural stem cell biology. You will be involved in research using Drosophila and mouse genetics, cell culture, a wide range of cutting-edge molecular biology and single-cell sequencing approaches, chromatin profiling, microdissection, and confocal and super-resolution imaging in live and fixed samples. In addition, we actively translate our research, with the aim to develop novel therapies for patients with mitochondrial diseases.


In our lab, you will oversee and provide technical support and be responsible for the day-to-day running of the laboratory, including ordering supplies and maintaining inventories of reagents and transgenic animals. You will closely interact with other researchers within and outside the lab and be involved in the implementation and development of new techniques.


You will have the opportunity to participate actively in experimental design and troubleshooting, have the freedom to develop your own research questions and experiments, and be encouraged to take up training opportunities.


Applicants must have a degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or Cell Biology and experience with laboratory data management, molecular biology and cell biology. Experience with Drosophila husbandry and genetics are desirable, and some familiarity with next-generation sequencing library preparation would be advantageous.


You will join a young, dynamic and highly collaborative group, and demonstrate core values of the lab, which include enthusiasm, openness and integrity.


You will be located within the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit housed in the Wellcome Trust/MRC Building on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, with state-of-the-art facilities available to group members. The team is embedded within the Cambridge Clinical Mitochondrial Disease Resarch Group, MitoCamb, to ensure continuous reflection on the translational relevance of the research.


The lab and the wider University of Cambridge are committed, in their pursuit of academic and research excellence, to a pro-active and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. Part-time and flexible working will be considered. The University particularly encourages women and candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to apply.


Lab websites: MRC MBU Research groups: https://www.mrc-mbu.cam.ac.uk/research-groups Cambridge Clinical Mitochondrial Research team: https://mitocamb.medschl.cam.ac.uk/ MRC MitoCluster: https://nmgn.mrc.ukri.org/clusters/mitochondria/


For informal enquiries, please contact Jelle van den Ameele (jv361@cam.ac.uk).

Fixed-term:

The funds for this post are available until 30 June 2026 in the first instance.


Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.


Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.


Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Closing date:

28th May 2025

Interview date:

To be confirmed


Please quote reference ZE45992 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.