Postdoctoral Research Associate

• Health and Safety Requirements: Key hazards identified (plan is in place)
• Criminal Record Check: No criminal record check required
• Contract Type: Fixed Term

Grade UE07: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum

School of Biological Sciences / College of Sciences & Engineering

Full Time: 35 hours per week

Fixed term: until 31 July 2028

The Opportunity:

We are looking for a skilled and motivated postdoctoral researcher to investigate the function and epigenetic regulation of unique germline-specific chromosomes in the fungus gnat fly Bradysia coprophila. The award holder will combine genomic, molecular, and epigenetic approaches to study programmed DNA elimination and the biology of germline-restricted chromosomes, helping to establish Bradysia as a new model system for understanding unusual inheritance and chromosome behaviour. The award holder will join Laura Ross’s lab in the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, as part of an interdisciplinary international project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Applicants must have a PhD (or to be completed in 3 months) in genetics, genomics, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, or a related field. The post requires experience in genomic data analysis and laboratory skills, creativity in problem solving, and strong communication and organisational skills. Experience with chromatin biology, genome regulation, high-throughput sequencing, work on germline biology, or work on invertebrate development would be an advantage. An overview of the laboratory can be found here: http://lauraross.bio.ed.ac.uk and questions should be directed to Laura Ross at [email protected].

View the full job description (opens in a new browser tab)

How to apply

Please include the following documents in your application:

- CV

- Cover letter

As a valued member of our team, you can expect: 

• A competitive salary. 
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. 
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits. 

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also a Stonewall Proud Employer, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality. 

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 30 September 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone. 

Interviews will be held the week of the 19th of October 2026.

About Us

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.