Research Associate MRC MBU (apply by 1 July)
The Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit (MRC MBU), University of Cambridge wishes to appoint a post-doctoral Research Associate to join the research group of Prof. Michal Minczuk at the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit.
A world-renowned centre for research, the MRC MBU is a vibrant community focused on the involvement of mitochondria and their dysfunction in an ever-increasing range of human diseases. Additional information can be found at www.mrc-mbu.cam.ac.uk.
The postholder will contribute to an ambitious programme funded through the ARIA Precision Mitochondria initiative, aimed at developing novel technologies for the delivery of genetic material into mitochondria. The project addresses one of the major challenges in mitochondrial medicine: enabling precise genetic manipulation of the mitochondrial genome in living cells and tissues.
Working at the interface of mitochondrial biology, membrane biophysics and synthetic biology, the successful candidate will establish and apply advanced experimental approaches to evaluate mitochondrial membrane integrity, topology, dynamics and function following delivery interventions. They will employ complementary methodologies including super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, mitochondrial bioenergetics, single-cell mtDNA/mtRNA analysis, molecular biology and functional assays of oxidative phosphorylation.
The postholder will play a leading role in assessing mitochondrial DNA replication, transcription and respiratory chain function, and will contribute to validation studies in organoid and mouse models. The project will involve close collaboration with industrial partners and offers opportunities for translation of discoveries into future therapeutic applications.
Informal enquiries about this position should be directed to Professor Michal Minczuk (mam201@cam.ac.uk).