Research Associate - Therapies For Renal Ciliopathies

Salary: £33,966 to £36,024 per annum

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: 01 June 2024

The Role

Following recent success in securing an EU HORIZON funded programme called Therapies for Renal Ciliopathies (TheRaCil, https://theracil.eu/), we are seeking a Research Associate to join our internationally renowned multi-disciplinary team in Newcastle.

This position provides an opportunity for an outstanding Research Associate to develop their career within a team that brings together clinicians and academics in a vibrant translational research environment that works closely with patients and their families.
(https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/siblings-who-developed-kidney-failure-17535415 https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/health/newcastle-university-kidney-research-sayer-15431046, Three Hexham siblings with kidney failure finally get answers thanks to Newcastle University genetics team - Chronicle Live).
 

You will be skilled in kidney research, translational research and have demonstrable experience with murine models of kidney development/disease, with a recent PhD in this area. 

We are looking for an exceptional individual able to lead on laboratory molecular techniques as well as perform in vivo experiments and interpret the findings.

Mutations affecting the structure/function of primary cilia cause a heterogenous group of complex disorders that typically progress to end stage renal failure (ESFR) with dialysis and transplantation the only current treatment. Renal ciliopathies account for 10% of all patients with kidney failure and represent the main cause of ESRF during childhood. Although mutations in over 40 genes have been shown to underlie the Renal Ciliopathies, extensive genotype:phenotype heterogeneity means it is difficult to predict the severity of the disease and the rate of progression to ESRF. TheRaCil, aims to use models of renal ciliopathy diseases to drive translational research and bring treatments to the clinic within the next 5 years, see Ramsbottom SA, Molinari E, Srivastava S, Silberman F, Henry C, Alkanderi S, Devlin LA, White K, Steel DH, Saunier S, Miles CG, Sayer JA. Targeted exon skipping of a CEP290 mutation rescues Joubert syndrome phenotypes in vitro and in a murine model. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2018 115(49):12489-12494. PMID: 30446612; Ramsbottom SA, Thelwall PE, Wood KM, Clowry GJ, Devlin LA, Silbermann F, Spiewak HL, Shril S, Molinari E, Hildebrandt F, Gunay-Aygun M, Saunier S, Cordell HJ, Sayer JA, Miles CG. Mouse genetics reveals Barttin as a genetic modifier of Joubert syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2020 117(2):1113-1118. PMID: 31879347; and Garcia H, Serafin AS, Silbermann F, Porée E, Viau A, Mahaut C, Billot K, Birgy É, Garfa-Traore M, Roy S, Ceccarelli S, Mehraz M, Rodriguez PC, Deleglise B, Furio L, Jabot-Hanin F, Cagnard N, Del Nery E, Fila M, Sin-Monnot S, Antignac C, Lyonnet S, Krug P, Salomon R, Annereau JP, Benmerah A, Delous M, Briseño-Roa L, Saunier S.  Agonists of prostaglandin E2 receptors as potential first in class treatment for nephronophthisis and related ciliopathies. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2022 119(18):e2115960119. PMID: 35482924.

This post is fixed term for a period of 24 months in the first instance.

Please note that if you are successful to this role, you will require medical clearance before you can commence in the role.

For informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Professor John Sayer 

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
• Work to promote and uphold a positive research culture within the research environment
   

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• A background in mouse genetics applied to kidney development/disease
• Ability to work well as part of a team, rapidly acquire new skills, and train/supervise project students etc
• Detailed subject knowledge in kidney development/disease
• Contributions to peer reviewed research publications/presentations at conferences
• Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability and independence
• 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
• “Hands-on” experience of mouse genetics
• UK Home Office Personal Licence (PIL A/B) or similar
• Experience of basic molecular biology techniques, such as genotyping, and tissue expression (immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation, transcriptomics)

Desirable

• Previous experience with transcriptomic studies 
• Experience in cell culture, especially kidney cells 
• Experience with translational research, drug discovery, pharma interactions 

Attributes and Behaviour

• High level laboratory skills, with attention to detail and the ability to critically analyse and interpret data
• Outstanding organisational and record keeping skills, with the ability to plan and prioritise tasks to meet deadlines
• Ability to contribute ideas and enhancements to develop the project and further research objectives
• Contribution to dissemination of research via seminar, conference presentations or publications
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team, but also show strong independent working

Desirable

• Demonstrate enthusiasm towards scientific engagement 
• Confidence and willingness to support and guide research students and junior members of staff 
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability

Qualifications

• A PhD in the research area required

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: 27016