Research Assistant in R-Loop Biology and Genome Instability, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute
Job Description
The Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute is hiring a Research Assistant in the Crossley laboratory to work on R-loops, the RNA-DNA hybrids that drive genome instability and inflammation. The salary is £33,002 to £35,608 a year and applications close on 12 October 2026.
At a glance
- Post: Research Assistant in R-Loop Biology and Genome Instability
- Where: Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge
- Salary: £33,002 to £35,608 a year
- Reference: SW51209
- Apply by: 12 October 2026
Read the official University of Cambridge advertisement before you apply.
About the work
The Crossley group studies RNA-DNA hybrid molecules called R-loops: how they are dysregulated in human disease, how they drive genome instability and inflammation, and how both the molecules and the cell’s responses to them can be used for cancer detection and treatment. The group uses biochemical, imaging and genomics approaches.
You would work alongside Dr Mawer, the group’s Senior Scientific Associate, bringing several ongoing projects to publication and helping start new ones. The group has recently been awarded long-term funding, so this is a formative moment to join. The post sits on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
What you need
- Strong molecular biology skills: cloning, western blotting, lentiviral infection, qPCR, nucleic acid isolation, immunoprecipitation, microscopy and flow cytometry
- Previous experience of mammalian cell culture
- In-depth expertise in at least one of genome stability, RNA biology, chromatin biology, innate immunity or cancer biology
- Experience in next-generation sequencing or bioinformatics is an advantage
The part of the job people skim past
The advertisement is clear that the post carries other responsibilities too: preparing reagents, maintaining lab stocks and helping with the day-to-day running of the laboratory. That is normal for a research assistant post, and it is better to know it going in.
Pay
The advertised range is £33,002 to £35,608 a year. This is a fixed-term post.
How to apply
Apply online through the Cambridge job page. Click Apply, register an account with the University’s recruitment system if you do not have one, and complete the form. Quote reference SW51209 on your application and in any correspondence about the vacancy. You will normally be asked for a CV and the contact details of academic referees, so line those up before you start.
One thing to check first. The University states that it has a responsibility to ensure all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you are applying from outside the UK, read the visa position for this post before you spend time on the application.
Browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in, or search our Find a supervisor page.
Hiring institution: University of Cambridge
Official advertisement: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk
How to prepare for this application
- Name the techniques you have actually run. The list in the advert is long and specific, and it is what shortlisting is done on.
- Pick one of the five areas and go deep. In-depth expertise in one is required, breadth across all five is not.
- Quote the reference, SW51209. Cambridge asks for it on the form and in every email about the post.
- Line up your referees early. Cambridge contacts them during selection, so tell them before you apply.
- Check your right to work in the UK. Every Cambridge advert carries this condition, and it is the usual reason an overseas application stalls.
About the University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 and is one of the world's leading research universities. Its research posts are advertised centrally at jobs.cam.ac.uk, with each department running its own selection.
