Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity's greatest challenges.

We are recruiting a Postdoctoral fellow to focus on maximising the unique potential of menstrual blood to understand and treat Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. This position is fixed until 31st August 2028.

About the research:

Reproductive tissues related to mensturation remain underexplored through the lens of molecular and cellular biology compared with other tissues. This limits our understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving highly prevalent gynecological conditions such as Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB). Our approach integrates cutting-edge genomics technologies to transform menstrual blood into a powerful resource for understanding HMB mechanisms. Following genomic characterisation of host and microbial cells, deep learning models will help predict cellular, molecular, and genetic associations with HMB, enabling the identification of causal pathways and supporting patient stratification and the development of novel diagnostic tools and treatments.

What you'll be doing:

In this position, you will be responsible for a major collaborative project, funded by Wellcome LEAP, aimed at using different transcriptomic technologies to profile menstrual blood, the microbiome and endometrial tissue.The project involves using single cell RNA-sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to enable discovery, paired with organoid technologies to deliver functional validation. The primary goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms driving HMB, which will aid in disease understanding and patient stratification.

You will join the Vento-Tormo lab, you will be taking the scientific lead in profiling a cohort of menstrual fluid and endometrial samples from individuals experiencing HMB. Collaborating closely with research assistants and technical specialists, you will perform cellular profiling of the samples and the associated microbiome. You will also generate organoid lines from the collected samples to functionally validate computational predictions. Your responsibilities will extend to managing the interpretation and biological contextualisation of screenings data, in collaboration with a bioinformatician and a data scientist. A key aspect of your role will also involve presenting your findings and data to both academic and clinical partners, contributing to the overarching goals of the project.

Key publications of the team:

• Marečková, Magda, Hassan Massalha, Valentina Lorenzi, and Roser Vento-Tormo. 2022. "Mapping Human Reproduction with Single-Cell Genomics." Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics, May. https://doi.org/#removed#/annurev-genom-#removed#.
  
• Lorenzi, Valentina, Cecilia Icoresi Mazzeo, Nadav Yayon, Elias R. Ruiz-Morales, Carmen Sancho-Serra, Frederick C. K. Wong, Magda Marečková, et al. 2024. "Spatiotemporal Map of the Developing Human Reproductive Tract at Single-Cell Resolution." bioRxiv. https://doi.org/#removed#/#removed#.
  
• Marečková, Magda, Luz Garcia-Alonso, Marie Moullet, Valentina Lorenzi, Robert Petryszak, Carmen Sancho-Serra, Agnes Oszlanczi, et al. 2024. "An Integrated Single-Cell Reference Atlas of the Human Endometrium." Nature Genetics 56 (9): #removed#.
  
• Garcia-Alonso, Luz, Louis-François Handfield, Kenny Roberts, Konstantina Nikolakopoulou, Ridma C. Fernando, Lucy Gardner, Benjamin Woodhams, et al. 2021. "Mapping the Temporal and Spatial Dynamics of the Human Endometrium in Vivo and in Vitro." Nature Genetics 53 (12): #removed#.
  

About You:

You are interested in reproductive health and have experience in cellular and molecular biology. You are independent, but comfortable working as a part of a bigger team. We welcome your application if you have skills and experience in the following:

• Cell and molecular biology
  
• Cell culture, including organoids, especially on a high throughput scale
  
• Interpreting transcriptomic data
  
• Microbiome analysis
  

You will be part of a vibrant international Postdoctoral Fellow community at the Sanger Institute with a wide programme of transferable skills training and excellent career development opportunities. For more information about being a Postdoctoral Fellow - please visit: https://youtu.be/1-vxm2nBmFA

Essential Skills:

• PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, immunology, or a similar discipline or on track to complete within 6 months of starting the role.
  
• Proven knowledge of cell culture, including organoids
  
• Proven knowledge of molecular biology, especially CRISPR/Cas9 technology
  
• Proven ability to interpret transcriptomic data in a biologically relevant context
  
• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with wide range of persons of differing level, abilities and knowledge
  
• Foster an inclusive culture where all can thrive and diversity is celebrated
  
• Team player with the ability to work with others in a collegiate and collaborative environment
  
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas and results and present orally to groups
  
• Commitment to personal development and updating of knowledge and skills
  
• Ability to priortise, multi-task and work independently
  
• Detailed orientated, strong organizational and problem-solving skills
  

Other Information:

Salary per annum (dependent upon skills and experience): £38,000-£49,156

Application Process:

Please apply with your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria set out above.

Closing Date: 24th September 2025

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That's why we're committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.