Junior Mass Spectrometry Research Officer

Job Title and Salary

UE06: £34,610.00 - £39,906.00 Per Annum (Full Time, 35 hours per week, open‑ended contract subject to 3‑year review).

Mass Spectrometry Facility, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC), University of Edinburgh – one of Edinburgh’s flagship analytical platforms delivering proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and integrated multi‑omics including single‑cell and spatial workflows using state‑of‑the‑art high‑resolution instrumentation and robotic sample handling.

As a member of the facility team, you will work across the full biological mass spectrometry workflow: preparing biological samples, running mass spectrometry analyses, processing data, and contributing to bioinformatic interpretation. You will collaborate with scientists, students and clinicians on projects spanning cancer biology, immunology, metabolism and beyond, and will help keep the facility running smoothly through laboratory organisation, stock management, equipment monitoring and quality control.

• Prepare and process biological samples for mass spectrometry analyses.
• Operate mass spectrometry equipment and liquid chromatography instrumentation.
• Analyse data and contribute to bioinformatic interpretation of proteomic, metabolomic or lipidomic datasets.
• Maintain laboratory stock and manage equipment monitoring and quality control procedures.
• Plan and complete projects to agreed timelines, documenting work accurately and safely.
• Support users from diverse backgrounds, providing training and troubleshooting assistance.

• A degree in a relevant discipline (life sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, analytical science or related) or equivalent professional experience.
• Working knowledge of protein and small‑molecule chemistry.
• Working knowledge of mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography.
• Ability to plan and complete projects to agreed timelines.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to accurate documentation, reproducibility and safe working practices.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• Hands‑on experience of mass spectrometry applied to biological questions.
• Previous experience working in a mass spectrometry facility or shared analytical service.
• Ability to process and interpret proteomic and/or metabolomic data.
• Understanding of labelling methods (e.g. isotopic labelling) applied to proteins and small molecules.
• Experience operating and maintaining Orbitrap or timsTOF instruments.
• Experience with bioinformatic and statistical analysis of omics data.
• Familiarity with scripting languages (R, Python) or command‑line tools for data processing.
• Experience administering facility management systems such as PPMS.

• Variety across the full mass spectrometry workflow.
• Hands‑on work with state‑of‑the‑art instrumentation.
• Opportunity to develop laboratory and bioinformatics skills.
• Collaboration with leading scientists across a wide range of biomedical research.
• Contribution to the university’s research impact.

• CV
• Cover letter outlining relevant experience and suitability for the role

Closing date for applications: 21 July 2026. Closing time: 11:59pm UK time.

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award and is a member of the Race Equality Charter and Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and particularly encourage applications from under‑represented groups.

Right to work in the UK is required. The University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship.