University of Edinburgh
Postdoctoral Research Associate
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Grade UE07: £41,064 - £48,822 per annum
College of Science and Engineering / School of Biological Sciences / Institute for Stem Cell Research / Institute for Regeneration and Repair / Centre for Regenerative Medicine
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed-term: 36 months
The Opportunity
We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to study mammalian brain regeneration. The post holder will be part of a Brain Research UK research project between The University of Edinburgh, ETH Zurich and the University of Basel investigating how adult neural stem cells and other glial cells respond to a focal injury and drive tissue regeneration in the spiny mouse – the only mammal known to rebuild complex tissues after substantial damage. The post holder will use single-cell genomics, develop novel brain injury models, and perform cross-species comparisons to pinpoint exactly what sets spiny mice apart from other mammals, including humans, whose regenerative capacity is much more limited. The post holder will be embedded within a highly collaborative team and have outstanding scope to drive discovery at the interface of regeneration and neuroscience, and to make findings with potential to inform new strategies for repairing the human brain.
Your skills and attributes for success
- A PhD in regenerative biology, neurobiology/neuroscience or similar
- Experience in animal work including stereotaxic surgery
- Experimental design experience and expertise
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Commitment to a positive work environment
This post is full-time (35 hours per week).
View the full job description
How to apply
Please include the following documents in your application:
- CV
- Cover letter detailing how you meet each of the essential criteria outlined on the job description
We value colleagues with drive, determination, and a passion for what they do. People have always been at the heart of our work. As part of the University, you are a part of our community.
A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:
- Leading-edge research
- Opportunities for publication
- Working within one of the world’s leading universities
- Contributing to the work and purpose of the University
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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, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the 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.
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and particularly encourage applications from candidates from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, as we acknowledge they are currently underrepresented in biomedical research.
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 right to work webpages.
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 21st July 2026.
Unless stated otherwise, the closing time for applications is 11:59 pm (UK time). If you are applying from outside the UK, the closing time shown on our adverts will automatically adjust to your browser’s local time zone.
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.
The Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM)
The Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM) is a world-leading research centre dedicated to the study of stem cells, disease and tissue repair to improve human health. Part of The Institute for Regeneration and Repair, CRM brings together world leading discovery stem cell research with established clinical excellence to deliver a bench-to-bedside approach in addressing the challenges posed by degenerative diseases. Our Co-directors are Professor Anna Williams and Professor Tilo Kunath.
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CRM is home to more than 25 highly interactive research groups working to understand stem cells and their interactions with the tissues in which they are found. Specific research themes include stem cell biology, tissue maintenance and repair, reprogramming of somatic cells to stem cells (iPS cells) and disease modelling using stem cells. Translational research programmes span four therapeutic targets: brain, blood, liver and heart.
Centre for Regenerative Medicine website
The Institute for Regeneration and Repair
The Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR) is cross-College with staff and students from the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (CMVM) School of Regeneration and Repair (SRR) and the College of Science and Engineering (CSE), School of Biological Sciences and School of Chemistry. The School of Regeneration and Repair is one of six schools in CMVM.
At IRR our scientists and clinicians study tissue regeneration and repair to advance human health and reproductive outcomes. The Institute incorporates three leading research centres with a focus on regenerative medicine, inflammation and reproductive health. Our Director is Professor Stuart Forbes.
IRR has a 5-year income of over £200M and is a collaborative hub for commercial, clinical and academic endeavour. Based at Edinburgh BioQuarter we bring together world leading research expertise to drive understanding and deliver clinical and translational outcomes.
IRR has a work environment built on trust and encourages the very best talent from all backgrounds and at all levels to join us. A diverse team strengthens our ability to innovate and support cutting-edge world leading research. Supporting and empowering our team at all levels is central to our approach.
Our team is ambitious, acts with integrity and demonstrates commitment to progress and impact. We aim to achieve excellence in all that we do, always being principled, considerate and respectful.
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