Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented and enthusiastic individual interested in developmental neurobiology. You will join a Wellcome Trust-funded project team in the School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield investigating development of the brain.
You will work closely with the project team to provide essential support for specific research activities, assist with the routine maintenance of lab equipment, and assist in lab management, including routine ordering and maintenance of databases. You will additionally work on an individual project.
You will be enthusiastic about research and have degree-level experience biological sciences, biochemistry, neuroscience or a related field. Experience in chick embryology, basic molecular biology, in situ hybridization, fluorescent microscopy, image capture and Adobe photoshop are also essential.
Main duties and responsibilities
Carry out research/experiments. The main duty is to perform studies on chick embryos, investigating hypothalamic cell development
Perform data mining of chick scRNA-seq datasets
Participate in weekly project team meetings and attend relevant research seminars, including presentation of own research data.
Provide support to lab PI and postdocs engaged on the project
Take responsibility for the day-to-day experiments, including windowing/staging of chick embryos, in vivo manipulations, and post-operative analyses
Perform multiplex HCR in situ hybridisation
Perform microscopy imaging, and image analysis
Work effectively with other research staff and students
Take responsibility for core equipment, in particular, fluorescent microscopes used by a range of research-active individual
Take day to day responsibility for the Health and Safety aspects of the work to agreed standards.
Accurately record results, providing analysis and presenting findings to academic colleagues.
Be able quickly to adapt and transfer skills to new technology and innovations and work flexibly across laboratories as required.
Analyse and record data to aid the design of future research
Take responsibility for self-development and on the job learning; keeping abreast of developments in techniques and technology.
As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Have a good honours degree in biological sciences, biochemistry, neuroscience or a related field
Have experience in chick embryology, in particular in vivo manipulation
Have experience in HCR in situ hybridisation
Have experience in data mining, in particular of scRNA-seq datasets
Have experience in tissue culture
Have experience in basic molecular biology
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Have experience in fluorescent microscopy, image capture and Adobe photoshop
Have experience in data analysis, data interpretation and data communication
Ability to work under own initiative to agreed protocols and deadlines, and to plan and progress work activities
Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving
Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances
Further Information
£32,080 - £34,610 per annum
Full-time (35 hours per week)
Fixed term for a period of 12 months from October 2026
Professor of Developmental Neurobiology (PI)
If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.
For informal enquiries about this job contact Professor Marysia Placzek (Professor of Developmental Neurobiology / PI) at
[email protected] Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the advertised closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please contact
[email protected]Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().
What we offer
A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
Generous pension scheme.
A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes.
A range of generous family-friendly policies
paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
access to menopause support in the workplace
paid time off and support for fertility treatment
and more
We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
