Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Molecular and Cellular Biology of Mitochondrial Disease Models

The University of Cambridge wishes to appoint a talented postdoctoral research associate to join the research group of Prof Rita Horvath at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the John Van Geest Brain Repair Centre.

The position is part of a research grant from the joint call of the Action Medical Research and Action for AT, to characterise novel biomarkers of ataxia telangiectasia that support monitoring neurological progression and measuring treatment effect. The focus of your work will be to study how neuron-specific biomarkers reflect the progression of ataxia and how these change on treatment with novel antisense oligonucleotides.

You will use cutting-edge technologies, including functional studies on neuronal stem cells and human neurons. Proteomics, RNA sequencing and other omics technologies will be performed to identify the molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration and ataxia in children and adults. The over-arching aim of the research group is to develop new treatments for mitochondrial diseases and other inherited rare neuromuscular diseases using a combination of genomic, cell biology and specialized assays. You will have access to a team of experienced bioinformaticians, but have the opportunity to be trained and perform independent in-depth bioinformatic analysis of large datasets. You will have access to clinical samples from the MitoCamb neurogenetics clinic, to apply and translate novel technology and insights towards a human disease context.

We anticipate this work will lead to high-profile publications based on our track-record: Nat Comm 2026 PMID:42324264; Nat Comm 2023 PMID:36823193; Brain 2026 PMID:42634970.

The role will be located within the John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, with state-of-the-art facilities available to group members.

The lab and the wider University of Cambridge are committed, in their pursuit of academic and research excellence, to a pro-active and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. Flexible working will be considered.

Lab websites

Horvath Group: https://www.horvathlab-cam.co.uk/

John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair: https://www-neurosciences.medschl.cam.ac.uk/

Cambridge Clinical Mitochondrial Research team: https://www-neurosciences.medschl.cam.ac.uk/mitocamb/

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 24 months (2 years) in the first instance, with the possibility of extending beyond this.

For informal inquiries, please contact Rita Horvath (rh732@cam.ac.uk).

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Closing Date: 1st November 2026

Interview Date: to be confirmed

Please quote reference RR51412 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.