University of Edinburgh
Postdoctoral Research Associate
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UE07: £41,064-£48,822 per annum
CSE / School of Biological Sciences / Institute of Cell Biology
Full-Time: 35 hours per week
Fixed-Term: 12 months
The Opportunity
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoc candidate to join the Swaffer lab and lead a major project addressing how cell size impacts cancer cell biology. While the significance of cell size for cellular physiology has been appreciated for many decades, we still have a surprisingly poor understanding of the mechanisms that couple the inner molecular workings of the cell to its size. Using mammalian cell lines as model systems, this project will take advantage of the quantitative and interdisciplinary expertise of the Swaffer lab to build on recent breakthrough discoveries regarding how transcription and cell size are coupled (Swaffer et al., Cell 2023 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2023.10.012).
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How to apply
Please include the following documents in your application:
- CV
- Cover letter
- Research statement (outlining the research direction you wish to pursue).
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 (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.
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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 a Stonewall Proud Employer, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality.
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and particularly encourage applications from underrepresented backgrounds.
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 (opens new browser tab)
On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 26 August 2026.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browser's local time zone.
Interviews will be held late August / early September
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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.
As the modern inheritors of our 400-year-old reputation for excellence, our staff and students contribute to a vibrant academic community whose visions are shaping tomorrow’s world. The School of Biological Sciences is at the leading edge in teaching, research and innovation. Independent rankings such as the Times Higher Education consistently place us amongst the top 25 universities in the world for biological sciences. We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and to recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development opportunities for all staff. We place a particular focus on development for early-career researchers (postgraduate and postdoctoral research staff and personal fellowship holders), offering mentoring and an active ‘BioDocSoc’ organisation that brings together researchers for networking, events and training opportunities.
The School of Biological Sciences holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.
Our website [http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/biology] contains more information about the School.
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