A Research Laboratory Technician post is available in the Cichlid Eco-Evo-Devo Group directed by Emília Santos in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge.
The successful candidate will work on PredictingSPOTS, an ERC Consolidator Grant investigating the genomic and developmental basis of colour pattern diversification and convergence in East African cichlid fishes. The project uses egg-spots - a sexually selected pigmentation pattern found on the anal fins of male cichlids - as a tractable model to understand how morphological innovation arises and evolves, combining GWAS and QTL mapping, spatial and single-cell transcriptomics, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and data-driven mathematical modelling.
The principal aim of this post is to support genome editing in cichlid fishes and genomic library preparation for next-generation sequencing. The postholder will design and execute CRISPR/Cas9 (and other) genome editing strategies, generating and characterising mutant and transgenic cichlid lines to investigate gene function in vivo. The role also covers aspects of genomic library preparation, including the development and implementation of scalable single-nuclei multimodal approaches such as sci-seq (DOI: 10.1038/s41596-022-00752-0) and SHARE-seq (DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.09.056). We have extensive in-house experience with genome editing in cichlids (e.g., DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220077 and DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230257), so while developmental genetics experience is desirable, it is not essential to apply. Experience with molecular biology and genomic library preparation methods is essential.
The successful candidate will join the Cichlid Eco-Evo-Devo lab, a team of nine members, including PhD students and postdocs and will work closely with other technicians and team members from the wider DAB Skylab, which includes the groups of Prof. Stephen Montgomery and Prof. Chris Jiggins. Candidates will need to be reliable, proactive, and able to work autonomously within guidelines, while also being strong team players able to train and support others in the lab.
For more information, please refer to the Further Particulars document.
The deadline for applications is midnight on 16th August 2026. Interviews are due to be conducted in a week starting 7th September 2026 (subject to change)
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available up to 31 December 2028, with the possibility of an extension subject to the project status and the availability of funding.
Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.
Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.
Due to the nature of this role, it is based entirely on-site. Part-time working or other flexible working arrangements requests will be considered.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Dr Emilia Santos [email: [email protected]]
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Zoology HR Office [email: [email protected]]
Please quote reference PF50326 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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.
