Post-doctoral research associate positions in epithelial cell fate dynamics, University of Bristol

Two Postdoctoral Research Associate posts are available in the laboratory of Dr Bethan Lloyd-Lewis within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Bristol. These offer an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team investigating the mechanisms regulating epithelial cell fate during mammary gland development and breast cancer.

The lab’s research integrates data across multiple scales to define the molecular processes regulating the fate of individual cells and how these link to organ development, function, and oncogenesis (https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/bethan-lloyd-lewis). The available projects will explore how mechanical forces influence mammary cell fate dynamics and plasticity during branching morphogenesis (embryonic and postnatal stages) and early tumour initiation. The projects will harness a multi-disciplinary approach, combining transgenic lineage tracing mouse models and explant culture techniques with live in vivo (intravital) and ex vivo confocal microscopy, -omics (scRNA-seq, proteomic) and biophysical methods.

The roles will entail undertaking independent, high-quality research while working closely with other team members. Hired applicants will contribute to fostering collaborations with other researchers, including biophysicists and mathematical biologists. The roles will involve day-to-day organisation and undertaking of the project, and performing a range of research tasks, including in vivo experiments, mammary organotypic culture, advanced microscopy and immunohistochemistry. RAs will be responsible for data analysis and dissemination, as well as assisting with the supervision of new/junior researchers in the lab.

We are looking for motivated, enthusiastic and collaborative candidates with interests in epithelial stem cells, tissue development/regeneration, and cancer biology. Candidates with a strong background in advanced imaging, image analysis, tissue morphogenesis, biomechanics and in vivo mouse research are encouraged to apply.

Selected candidates will join an enthusiastic team within a thriving community of molecular cell and tissue biology labs at the University of Bristol. The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Bristol is an internationally respected hub for research and is supported by cutting-edge core facilities.

These positions are generously funded by the Wellcome Trust and are available for 3 years in the first instance (with potential for extension) from September 2024.

For informal enquiries please contact Bethan Lloyd-Lewis (bethan.lloyd-lewis@bristol.ac.uk).