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We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
DNA is constantly damaged and must be repaired to prevent genome instability and cancer. We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the lab of Matt Newton to work on understanding the mechanisms of recognition and repair of DNA damage.
We will use optical-tweezers with confocal microscopy and microfluidics to directly observe these fundamental processes at single-molecule resolution. Our goal is to understand how damage is recognised and repaired, and factors which affect this process. This will have direct implications in understanding cancer development and responses to cancer therapeutics.
Applicants must have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field. A track record of multidisciplinary research in single-molecule microscopy, biophysics, molecular biology or a related discipline along with expertise in applying biochemical or biophysical methods to probe DNA structure or DNA-protein interactions are also essential.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Undertake research on mechanisms of DNA damage repair in line with project requirements.
- Work closely with the research team to develop hypotheses, experimental protocols, analytical tools and biological samples to achieve the programme's goals.
- Lead on the design and planning experimental work with members of the research team and agree on an inclusive strategy to complete the research programme.
- Regularly update the research team on project progress and development.
- Support and maintain a collegiate and supportive research environment and contribute to the supervision of junior members of the research team.
- Interact and collaborate with partners in other institutions and industry to develop effective and positive partnerships and collaborations.
- Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments.
- Obtain, analyse and interpret data, keeping clear accessible records, making data, records and protocols available according to open/FAIR principles as soon as possible.
- Prepare papers for journals / presentation in-house or at national and international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.
- Write supporting documents (such as protocols, reports, etc.) to support the research team and wider community.
- Work with the team to design and develop future experiments, funding applications, scientific papers and partnerships.
- Actively participate in the team's collaborative research, including taking on roles in lab safety, ordering, providing training and administration as required.
- 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.
- Any other duties, commensurate with the grade 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.
Essential criteria
- Have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field (assessed at: application/Interview).
- A track record of multidisciplinary research in single-molecule microscopy, biophysics, molecular biology or a related discipline (assessed at: application/Interview).
- Expertise in applying biochemical or biophysical methods to probe DNA structure or DNA-protein interactions (assessed at: application/Interview).
- Ability to manage an independent original research project, including critical analysis and problem solving (assessed at: application/Interview).
- Ability to work as part of a collaborative team and evidence of training and supporting students, colleagues and/or group members (assessed at: application/Interview).
- Ability to work with external industrial or academic collaborators and partners (assessed at: application/Interview).
- Effective verbal communication skills including experience of delivering presentations and communicating with other members of a research team (assessed at: application/Interview).
- Effective written communication skills including the ability to draft scientific publications and reports (assessed at: application/Interview).
Desirable criteria
- Expertise in optical-tweezers or other single molecule technologies (assessed at: application/Interview).
- Expertise in developing single-molecule technologies (assessed at: application/Interview).
- Experience of reviewing individual and team progress and performance and supporting/motivating others (assessed at: application/Interview).
- Expertise in using collaborative open project management tools e.g. GitHub, Trello (assessed at: application/Interview).
Further Information
Grade: 7
Duration: March 2025 to October 2027
Line manager: Research Fellow in Single-molecule Biophysics
Direct reports: None
For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Matthew Newton, Research Fellow, on matthew.newton@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. This will consist of a visit to the lab to meet the team and a research presentation and interview.
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What we offer
- A minimum of 41 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; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Employer. 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.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.