Research Associate

4 weeks ago


Cambridge, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 28 February 2026 in the first instance.

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position to work on the development and applications of a microfluidic platform for analysing protein aggregation, with a focus on developing cutting-edge microfluidic techniques for high-throughput detection, a project funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The PDRA will work in the group of Professor Tuomas Knowles in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge.

The aim of this interdisciplinary project is to develop an approach for detecting biomarkers that allow early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, provide a means to track disease progression, and support the development of future therapeutics. A particularly attractive route to achieve this objective is to directly measure the seeding activity of misfolded and aggregated forms of the central protein driving Parkinson's disease (PD), alpha-synuclein. Yet, the ability to measure and quantify the seeding activity of pathological aggregates in clinical samples has remained elusive. Here, we propose to address this challenge by developing a quantitative and practical seeding assay in digital format which allows better quantification. Success with this project will open a platform and path towards quantitative PD biomarker detection.

The project aims to develop a novel toolbox enabling the digital quantification of single aggregates supporting PD diagnosis and following disease progression. To this end, the PDRA will design and apply microfluidics techniques towards integration into an automated workflow that will serve as a biophysical toolkit for real-time characterisation of alpha-synuclein aggregation at a single aggregate resolution. The PDRA should have a relevant specialist area in droplet-based microfluidics, including design, fabrication, operation and troubleshooting of microfluidic systems, flow control strategies and high-throughput technologies. A background in engineering, life sciences and protein aggregation assays is an advantage.

Applicants will be expected to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment, interact and communicate effectively with a team of scientists with a wide range of expertise in biophysics and physical chemistry.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

Appointment at the Research Associate level is dependent on the award of a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at the Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the award of the PhD has been confirmed.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and publications list in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

For queries relating to your application or the application process, please contact Echo Williamson via email on jw825@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference MA41307 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

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.


  • Research Assistant

    4 weeks ago


    Cambridge, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years or until the Grant end date (30th April 2026), whichever is earliest. A position exists for a Research Assistant/Associate working in the Department of Physics, connected to the Accelerate Programme for Scientific Discovery. The Accelerate Programme for Scientific Discovery is a high-profile...

  • Research Associate

    4 weeks ago


    Cambridge, United Kingdom Reed Scientific Full time

    Reed Scientific are currently recruiting for a research associate to join an internationally renowned Cambridge biotech. Role: Research Associate Location: Cambridge Hours: Full-time, Monday - Friday Contract: Permanent **Salary**: Competitive Essential Qualifications: MSc and 2 years of practical lab experience Essential Skills: extensive experience with...

  • Research Associate

    6 days ago


    Cambridge, United Kingdom Science Solutions Recruitment Ltd Full time

    A Cambridge-based biotechnology company is seeking a Research Associate with experience in the optimisation and development of immunoassays to join their Translational Biology team, supporting PK and PD studies for their impressive pipeline of novel immune-oncologytherapeutics. As a Research Associate you will: - Assist in the development and optimisation...


  • Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    Two posts are available within Tim Dalgleish's research programme at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) and a Senior Research Associate/PDRA. The post holder will be a member of the clinical research programme run by Tim Dalgleish who will line manage the post holder. The post holder will work on a Wellcome...

  • Research Associate

    3 weeks ago


    Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    The Hebrew Studies section of the Department of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the field of modern reading traditions of the Hebrew Bible.One of the major projects in the Hebrew Studies section is the compilation of a reference grammar of Biblical Hebrew. The new grammar...


  • Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    We are looking for a Research Associate/Senior Research Associate to join the Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre in the Department of Computer Science and Technology.The Research Associate/Senior Research Associate will play a pivotal role in conducting and leading research projects focused on computing education within the school system in the...


  • Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    The Sawarkar lab at the MRC Toxicology Unit is looking to appoint a Research Associate (Postdoctoral Fellow) to contribute to its programme on Epigenetics, tRNA transcription and Neurodegeneration. The project will use state-of-the-art genomic technologies to identify epigenetic determinants that lead to protein misfolding in neurons. Using single-cell...


  • Cambridge, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    We are looking for a statistical geneticist to join the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit (CEU), Department of Public Health and Primary Care at University of Cambridge. The post holder will work with Dr Xilin Jiang and Professor Michael Inouye while collaborating with Professor Alkes Price (Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health) and senior scientists at...


  • Cambridge, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    We are looking for a statistical geneticist to join the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit (CEU), Department of Public Health and Primary Care at University of Cambridge. The post holder will work with Dr Xilin Jiang and Professor Michael Inouye while collaborating with Professor Alkes Price (Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health) and senior scientists at...


  • Cambridge, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    Where the successful applicant does not yet have a PhD, they will normally be under-appointed as a Research Assistant in a Research Associate post (on the understanding that they will be appointed as a Research Associate upon successful completion of their PhD). The salary for a Research Assistant is £29,605- £33,966, the salary for a Research Associate is...

  • Research Associate

    3 weeks ago


    Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 28 February 2026 in the first instance.Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position to work on the development and applications of a microfluidic platform for analysing protein aggregation, with a focus on developing cutting-edge microfluidic techniques for...

  • Research Associate

    4 weeks ago


    Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 28 February 2026 in the first instance.Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position to work on the development and applications of a microfluidic platform for analysing protein aggregation, with a focus on developing and further improving the optical technology used for...

  • Research Assistant

    4 weeks ago


    Cambridge, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 September 2025 in the first instance. A position exists for Research Assistant/Associate in Quantum Materials research. Position Description: The Cavendish Laboratory's Quantum Matter group is looking to appoint a postdoctoral researcher to investigate electronic and magnetic states in...

  • Research Associate

    3 weeks ago


    Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 28 February 2026 in the first instance.Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position to work on the development and applications of a microfluidic platform for analysing protein aggregation, with a focus on high-throughput data analysis and management, a project funded...

  • Research Associate

    4 weeks ago


    Cambridge, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    Research Associate - NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Organ Donation and Transplantation (fixed term) We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated research associate to join our research team, led by Professor Michael Nicholson, in the University of Cambridge Department of Surgery. The post will be funded by the National Institute for...

  • Research Associate

    4 weeks ago


    Cambridge, United Kingdom The One Group Full time

    This unique role for a **Research Associate** will combine your strong technical research experience with grant writing. Based in facilities belonging to Cambridge University and also with some travel to research facilities in Pisa, Italy, you will have a lead role in the technical development of this ground-breaking work, which is bringing Graphene and...


  • Cambridge, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    The Sawarkar lab at the MRC Toxicology Unit is looking to appoint a Research Associate (Postdoctoral Fellow) to contribute to its programme on Epigenetics, tRNA transcription and Neurodegeneration. The project will use state-of-the-art genomic technologies to identify epigenetic determinants that lead to protein misfolding in neurons. Using single-cell...


  • Cambridge, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    The Sawarkar lab at the MRC Toxicology Unit is looking to appoint a Research Associate (Postdoctoral Fellow) to contribute to its programme on Epigenetics, tRNA transcription and Neurodegeneration. The project will use state-of-the-art genomic technologies to identify epigenetic determinants that lead to protein misfolding in neurons. Using single-cell...


  • Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    Applications are sought for a three-year, full-time Research Associate/Senior Research Associate position in the Department of Paediatrics.The researcher will work on an innovative medical device project which is a collaboration between the Departments of Paediatrics and Engineering, and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.The key...


  • Cambridge, United Kingdom University of Cambridge Full time

    Applications are sought for a three-year, full-time Research Associate/Senior Research Associate position in the Department of Paediatrics. The researcher will work on an innovative medical device project which is a collaboration between the Departments of Paediatrics and Engineering, and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The key...