Research Associate (Fixed Term) Part-time

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Applications are invited for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the laboratory of Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri in the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN) at the University of Cambridge.

The Sferruzzi-Perri Laboratory investigates the aetiology of pregnancy complications and the regulation of fetal and placental development within broader physiological and environmental contexts. The group employs integrative approaches, combining environmental mouse models and human pregnancy studies with advanced molecular, cellular, and physiological techniques.

The Role

The successful applicant will join a team investigating the maternal gut¿placental¿fetal axis in the context of gestational Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED). This project aims to address a significant knowledge gap using novel mouse models of gestational EED and by testing innovative biotherapies designed to mitigate adverse pregnancy outcomes. The research will integrate in vivo physiological assessments with structural, functional, and molecular analyses of tissues to determine how maternal intestinal dysfunction influences fetal development through gut-derived metabolic and inflammatory signals acting on the placenta.

About You

Applicants should hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in a relevant field, with a strong background in pregnancy and/or metabolic physiology research. You will have:

• A proven track record of research productivity, with the ability to lead and complete complementary projects independently.
• Experience with malnutrition, immune activation, and/or infection-based mouse models.
• A strong understanding of inflammation, metabolic pathways, and pregnancy physiology.
• Expertise in rodent experimentation techniques, including in vivo Doppler ultrasound and metabolic assays.
• Experience with advanced molecular approaches, including transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses.
• Skills in bioinformatics, histological analysis, and the integration of complex multi-modal datasets.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant, moving to Research Associate upon confirmation of your PhD award.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check.

To apply for this post, please submit a CV and a motivation letter detailing why you want to be part of this project and how your knowledge, skills and experience match the requirements of the role. Please also describe what you would bring to the group and why this post would be an ideal fit for your career plan. We also need the contact details for two people who can provide a professional reference, one of which should be your most recent line manager.

Closing date: midnight on 28th June 2026.

Please quote reference PM49745 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.