Engineering Biology PDRA

Grade UE07: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum, pro rata if part time

The Roslin Institute / CMVM

Full time: 35 hours per week

Fixed term: for 12 months

The Opportunity

We are inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to undertake a BBSRC-funded project, delivered as part of the Engineering Biology Hub at Easter Bush, focused on engineering more robust protein expression in chicken through synonymous recoding. The project will apply engineering biology principles to develop more predictable and robust expression systems for avian biotechnology.

This is a collaborative project involving several research groups at the University of Edinburgh, including the Kudla, Gaunt, Grey, McGrew and Glover laboratories. The post will be led by Dr James Glover and based at The Roslin Institute.

By enabling more predictable and robust transgene expression in chicken cells, this work will support the development of improved genetic tools and create opportunities across vaccine research, disease-resilience modelling and egg-based biopharming. The post holder will help plan and deliver experimental work, analyse and interpret data, contribute to the direction of the research, and support the dissemination of research outputs.

What you will be doing

The successful candidate will be responsible for the planning, optimisation and execution of experimental work in engineering biology, molecular biology and avian cell systems, with guidance from the PI and Co-Investigators. This will include techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 editing, variant library preparation, cell culture, flow cytometry, sequencing-based assays, and quantitative analysis of gene or protein expression (50%).

Analyse and interpret data, ensuring that all data production, recording and documentation are handled with integrity and maintained to a high standard (30%).

Present and discuss research findings within and beyond the research group, and disseminate outputs through contributions to publications, conference presentations, internal reports and follow-on funding applications (10%).

Contribute to wider Engineering Biology Hub activities, including the development of tools and resources, new protocols, collaborative working practices and outreach programmes (10%).

This post is full time, 35 hours per week, and fixed term for 12 months. We are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns.

View the full j ob description (opens in a new browser tab)

How to apply

- CV

- Cover letter

For informal enquiries please contact James Glover ( ***email_hidden***). Please note that applications sent directly to these email addresses will not be accepted.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect: 

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page  (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

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 a Stonewall Proud Employer, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages  (opens new browser tab)

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant. Please note if the role is offered on a part-time basis, it may result in sponsorship being dependent on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant or the role no longer meeting the Home Office’s criteria for sponsorship.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 24 September 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Interview dates to be confirmed.

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 Roslin Institute receives strategic investment from the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and provides national capability to achieve sustainable agriculture, control diseases and enhance health through pioneering animal bioscience.

The Institute is a key part of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework exercise, a joint submission by the School and Scotland’s Rural College placed first in the United Kingdom for agriculture, food and veterinary sciences.

The Institute is home to over 400 staff, students and visitors, including around 65 Group Leaders and Tenure Track Fellows on a path to independence. It has a vibrant programme ( ) (opens in a new browser tab) of postgraduate research and a thriving student community.

Research at the Institute is organised across eight divisions (Quantitative Biology, Genome Biology, Functional Genetics, Translational Bioscience, Bacteriology, Virology, Immunology, and Epidemiology) and two Institute Strategic Programmes funded by the BBSRC from 2023-28 (Genes & Traits for Healthy Animals and Prevention & Control of Infectious Diseases).

Over £380M has been invested in physical infrastructure at Easter Bush since 2008, including for research on key terrestrial and aquatic farmed animals. This includes the National Avian Research Facility, a £24M Large Animal Research & Imaging Facility, Aquaculture facilities for fish and shellfish, and an Innovation Centre that is now fully occupied with commercial tenants. The campus serves as a key innovation hub for the Agri-Tech, Aquaculture and Animal Bioscience (3A) sector and Roslin has extensive partnerships with businesses, including animal breeding and pharmaceutical businesses able to translate its discoveries at global scale.

The Institute has a positive and inclusive culture and holds a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award in recognition of its commitment to advance the careers of women in science.

Further details of the research conducted at the Institute can be found at The Roslin Institute website ( ) (opens in a new browser tab).