Address
Form of work
Salary:
Research Assistant: £31,396 to £32,982
Research Associate: £33,996
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 22 February 2024
The Role
A post is available for an enthusiastic Research Assistant or Research Associate to join the groups of Professor Jonathan Higgins and Dr Sarra Ryan within the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University.
The successful candidate will investigate the Cellular and molecular mechanisms by which dicentric chromosomes may increase the risk of cancer, funded by an award from the JGW Patterson Foundation.
The project will require the use of cell biological and microscopic imaging techniques together with molecular biology methods. Knowledge and technical expertise in chromosome and mitosis biology is essential and knowledge of dicentric chromosomes and cancer biology is an advantage.
Ideal candidates will be expected to have a PhD or (for a research assistant post) will be close to the completion of a PhD in molecular or cellular biology or a closely related field.
The project is available for 1 year with a starting date during or soon after April 2024.
For informal enquiries please contact Professor Jonathan Higgins (jonathan.higgins@ncl.ac.uk).
Group webpages:
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/people/profile/jonathanhiggins.html
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/people/profile/sarraryan.html
Cells, Genes and Molecules web page: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/research-themes/cells-genes-molecules/
Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/
Find out more about our Research Institutes here:
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/
As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles.
These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.
Key Accountabilities
• Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value'
• Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
• Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
• May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants
• Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute
• May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
• Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
• Detailed subject knowledge of chromosome biology and mitosis
• Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment
• Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications
• Experienced and skilled in mammalian cell culture
• Experienced and skilled in experimental methods to evaluate chromosome structure and segregation
• Good information technology and computing skills, including use of Excel (or similar) and basic statistics
Desirable
• Knowledge of dicentric chromosomes
• Knowledge of cancer biology
• Ability to write scientific articles in collaboration with other team members
Attributes and Behaviour
• Capacity for original thought
• Willingness to work flexibly by mutual arrangement
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Desirable
• Committed to a career in research
Qualifications
• A PhD in molecular or cellular biology, biochemistry, or closely related field (required for appointment at Associate level)
• Honours degree in molecular or cellular biology, biochemistry, or closely related field (for appointment at Assistant level)
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 26748
