Core Scientist in Epigenetics

UE07, £36,333-£43,155 per annum

R(D)SVS/Roslin Institute        

Full time: 35 hours per week

Fixed Term: until 31^st March 2025

We are looking for dedicated and enthusiastic PDRA/Core Scientist to join an active research group in epigenetics, developmental and evolutionary biology and to contribute to wider science strategy of Roslin Institute.   

The Opportunity:

This is an exciting post-doctoral or equivalent position funded by Roslin Institute’s core strategic funding in the new Division of Genome Biology. The role requires expertise in both wet-lab (molecular biology) and dry-lab (epigenomic & bioinformatics) experimental biology using cell- and organism-based systems. The post holder with facilitate delivery of cutting-edge experiments whose aims are to define the role of genetics and epigenetics in organism and cell-type development and during evolution. The tools that will be deployed include, but are not limited to: gene editing, use of reporter constructs, cell culture, ChIPseq, RNAseq, ATACseq and genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis technologies to enable assessment of transcriptomes and epigenomes in a broad range of species (comparative genomics). The individual appointed to this position will support the Vernimmen group’s research efforts through planning, execution, and data analysis of experiments to deliver high-quality scientific outputs that firmly align with the Roslin Institute’s current and future strategic programmes.

Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Doug Vernimmen douglas.vernimmen@roslin.ed.ac.uk

Your skills and attributes for success:

• Thorough experimental handling in clean areas (sensitive molecular biology).
• Advanced knowledge in bioinformatics.
• Good literature awareness to secure originality of the project.
• Writing skills to prepare the first draft of manuscript, and contribute to project development e.g. grant writing.
• Participate to general activities of the institute e.g. seminars, public engagement, etc..

Click to view a copy of the full job description

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. We give you support, nurture your talent and reward success. You will benefit from a competitive reward package and a wide range of staff benefits, which includes a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family friendly initiatives, flexible working, including use of 10 days for skills training and career development, and much more. Access our staff benefits page for further information and use our reward calculator to find out the total value of pay and benefits provided.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 Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

If invited for interview you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages

The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role.  If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa.  

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.

About the Team

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than eight hundred staff and almost eighteen hundred students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos.    

The School comprises:   

• The Roslin Institute   
• The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems   
• The Roslin Innovation Centre   
• The Hospital for Small Animals   
• Equine Veterinary Services   
• Farm Animal Services   
• Easter Bush Pathology   
• The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education   

We represent the largest concentration of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge.  

Education

The School is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and participates in the Veterinary Medical Colleges Admissions Service (VMCAS). We are consistently ranked the best vet school in the UK by both the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide and the Guardian League Tables. We are consistently ranked among the best in the world by global rankings.

The School is a global education provider with over 1,800 undergraduate, postgraduate and research students from around the world. We provide world-class education to improve the health of animals and human beings alike and are leaders in veterinary education, research, and clinical practice, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The Roslin Institute collaborates closely in delivering research-led teaching to undergraduate veterinary students, and promoting clinical veterinary research and translation. The unique association with leading medical and veterinary schools (through the University’s College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine) with a genuine commitment to the concept of One Medicine, also enables the translation of expertise and knowledge into human health and vice-versa. 

Research Impact

In a joint submission to the latest UK Research Excellence Framework exercise, research at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (R(D)SVS) and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has been ranked number one in the UK for agriculture, food and veterinary sciences by combining Times Higher Education’s ratings for each institution. The judgement, based on the quality and breadth of research, maintains the R(D)SVS and SRUC’s position as the strongest provider in these subject areas. The institutions’ research environment was classified to be 100 per cent world leading or internationally excellent for agriculture, food and veterinary sciences research. The Vet School and SRUC submission was also assessed as being 100 per cent world leading or internationally excellent in terms of the impact its research work has on wider society.

Community

The School holds a Silver Athena SWAN award and the Roslin Institute holds a Gold Award in recognition of their commitment to advance the representation of women in veterinary medicine and animal science. It is home to a thriving and diverse community of staff and students, with access to facilities including campus allotments and apiary, cycle storage and showers, walking and running trails, two restaurants and a modern gym.