Research Assistant Ref: 43971 (Fixed Term

About The Role

As a Research Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting an active research programme investigating how chromatin regulates genome integrity and DNA repair fidelity after genome editing. Working as part of a collaborative laboratory, you will contribute to a dedicated research project while also developing and maintaining shared research tools, reagents, and engineered cell lines that underpin multiple projects across the group.
You will perform a range of molecular and cell biology techniques, generate high-quality experimental data, and help maintain the smooth day-to-day running of the laboratory through organisation, record keeping, and resource management. Working closely with colleagues, you will troubleshoot experiments, share technical expertise, and contribute to the development of new laboratory capabilities.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive and innovative research environment where your work will directly contribute to advancing our understanding of genome stability. You will have the opportunity to develop your technical skills, collaborate with experienced researchers, and contribute to scientific outputs, including protocols, reports, and presentations.

We are looking for a highly motivated, organised, and collaborative Research Assistant with a strong background in molecular and cell biology. You will ideally hold a degree in a relevant biological science discipline (or have equivalent research experience) and have hands‑on experience with genome editing and molecular biology techniques.
The successful candidate will have practical experience using CRISPR/Cas9 and/or CRISPR/Cas
12 genome editing systems, including guide RNA design using Benchling, DNA cloning, plasmid construction, mammalian cell transfection, and assessment of genome editing efficiency using TIDE analysis.

Experience with Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, microscopy, and image analysis is also essential.
You will be able to manage your own workload while contributing effectively to shared laboratory resources and supporting colleagues across multiple research projects. Excellent organisational skills are essential, with experience maintaining accurate laboratory records, databases, and inventories. You will be a proactive problem solver with strong attention to detail, committed to producing high-quality research and maintaining laboratory standards, including health and safety compliance.
Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential, as you will work closely with researchers across the laboratory, contribute to scientific discussions, and assist with the preparation of protocols, reports, and presentations.

In the School of Life Sciences we strive to understand the mechanisms that drive biological and chemical processes and to develop innovative and diverse approaches to enhance human health, technology and the environment. We undertake multidisciplinary research, teaching and engagement across a wide range of subjects, from Chemistry through Cellular and Molecular Biosciences to Conservation Biology.
The School comprises five Departments:
Biochemistry & Biomedicine, Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Neuroscience, Ecology & Evolution and Chemistry. We also house the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre which works to deliver the bench‑to‑bedside translation of our discoveries. The breadth and depth of our cutting‑edge research and innovative teaching practice is delivered by a diverse community who work across boundaries to deliver excellence, engage with real world problems and produce impact.
We pride ourselves on our world‑leading research and have a strong research economy, with approximately 50% of our income stemming from research and an active grant portfolio of over £50 million. We host or form part of three University Centres of Excellence: the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Sussex Neuroscience and Sussex Sustainability Research Programme. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 90.6% of our Biological Sciences outputs and 84.8% of our Chemistry outputs were rated as world‑leading or internationally excellent.

We…