Job reference: BMH-023354
Salary: £30,487 - £44,263 per annum
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Biology, Medicine Health
Location: Oxford Road
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Hours Per Week: 35 hours per week
Closing date: 06/10/2023
Contract Duration: 1st December 2023 to 30th November 2026
School/Directorate: School of Biological Sciences

Job Description


Manchester Cell Matrix Centre & Discovery Research Platform for Cell-Matrix Biology

The Manchester Cell Matrix Centre (MCMC) brings together diverse research groups and technologists whose collective efforts are focussed on understanding the body’s extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix is a complex network that is essential for multicellular life, surrounds and supports cells and accounts for one third of our body mass. We believe that defining the principles that govern the two-way interaction between cells and matrix is fundamental to understanding vertebrate development, healthy ageing, and identifying why tissue failure is a major factor in most chronic diseases.

Located at The University of Manchester, the Centre incorporates one of eight Discovery Research Platforms recently awarded by the Wellcome Trust. The Discovery Research Platform for Cell-Matrix Biology will address a range of practical, technological, and methodological barriers to understanding how changes in the extracellular matrix leads to tissue failure. We are seeking driven and ambitious individuals to play a pivotal role in overcoming these barriers. Successful candidates will contribute to our bold vision to reprogramme extracellular matrix, which has the potential to lead to innovative new diagnostic tools and treatments for diseases such as cancer and fibrosis. The platform will embrace a Team Science approach and provide an exciting opportunity to work with groups from diverse research areas and collaborate across disciplines. ​​​​​​​

The role

The extracellular matrix is a complex network of fibrillar proteins, glycoproteins and secreted factors that form complex assemblies essential for tissue structure and function. Different specialised mammalian tissues contain many of the same basic building blocks but organised in differently to provide their distinct properties. Most components of the extracellular matrix are large, insoluble multicomponent complexes which are extensively post-translationally modified. The aim of this project is to integrate the imaging of extracellular matrix complexes and fibrillar assemblies from the molecular to the tissue scale. Working with research groups across the Platform and Electron Microscopy Facility, you will develop imaging approaches such as correlative light and EM (CLEM) and volume EM for matrix tissue samples. This will involve using cell or tissue samples with fluorophore-tagged matrix components in addition to tissues with antibody/nanobody labelling.

What you will get in return:

  • Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
  • Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
  • Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
  • Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
  • Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers


As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status.  All appointments are made on merit.


Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.


Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.


Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Alexsandr Mironov, Clair Baldock

Email: Alexsandr.Mironov@manchester.ac.uk / Clair.Baldock@manchester.ac.uk 

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk​​​​​​​

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home


This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.


Take a look around the company https://www.manchester.ac.uk/