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Research Assistant/ Associate in genetics of muscular dystrophies
Requisition ID: 29700
Location:
Newcastle, GB
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Contract Type: Fixed Term
Working Pattern: Full Time
Posted Date: 1 Sept 2026
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Salary:
Research Assistant: £33,951 to £35,608 per annum
Research Associate: £36,636 to £38,784 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 15 September 2026
The Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Research Assistant or Research Associate to join the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (JWMDRC) at Newcastle University for a 10-month fixed-term position. The successful candidate will contribute to one of our Next Generation Sequencing projects looking at the genetics of muscular dystrophies, particularly calpainopathies.
Working within a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists, you will play a key role in advancing the understanding of the genetics and variable expression of dominant calpainopathies, through a multi-omics approach.
The role will involve the identification of a suitable study cohort of individuals and families carrying dominant CAPN3 variants. Using genomic and multi-omic approaches, including short- and long-read whole genome sequencing, transcriptomics, proteomics and epigenomic analysis, the study aims to identify genetic and molecular factors that modify disease manifestation and improve the interpretation and diagnosis of CAPN3-related disease.
You will be expected to work independently while contributing to collaborative research activities, maintaining high scientific standards, and delivering project milestones within timelines.
As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf. These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.
Find out more about the Faculty Medical Sciences here: Faculty of Medical Sciences | Faculty of Medical Sciences | Newcastle University
Find out more about our Research Institutes: Translational and Clinical Research Institute | Faculty of Medical Sciences | Newcastle University
Contact for the post is Dr. Ana Topf (
[email protected])
Duration of post is 10 months
Key Accountabilities
Research Assistant
Integrate data from different molecular platforms to identify and prioritise candidate disease modifiers, pathways and mechanisms for further investigation
Apply and interpret multi-omic approaches, including genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and epigenomic data, to investigate mechanisms underlying these muscle diseases
Work collaboratively with clinical, bioinformatics and laboratory researchers across the project and contribute, where appropriate, to wider next-generation sequencing and genomic analysis activities within the research group
Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books)
Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate
In addition for Research Associate
Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project
Determine appropriate methodologies for research
Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Research Assistant
Experience in human genetics and genomics, including the analysis, prioritisation and interpretation of variants identified through next-generation sequencing (NGS)
Experience in bioinformatic and computational analysis of NGS datasets, including use of relevant analytical tools and/or scripting languages
Experience in the analysis and integration of complex biological datasets
Experience of interpreting research findings in a biological and clinical context
Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
Experience working within multidisciplinary research collaborations
Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems
Knowledge and/or research experience in neuromuscular diseases (desirable)
In addition for Research Associate
Awareness of the research environment
High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications
Attributes and Behaviour
Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
Commitment to continued professional development
Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity
Qualifications
Research Assistant
Honours degree in Genetics, Medical Genetics, Molecular Biology
In addition for Research Associate
PhD in Genetics, Medical Genetics, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 29700
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