Address
Form of work
Salary:
Research Associate: £33,966 to £36,024 with progression to £44,263 per annum
Senior Research Associate: £45,585 to £48,350 with progression to £54,395 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: 06 February 2024
The Role
Do you have a passion for working with Pluripotent Stem Cells? Are you looking to join a vibrant multi-disciplinary team working on Pluripotent Stem cell differentiation to retinal organoids?
We are looking for a motivated post-doctoral research assistant/ Research Associate or senior Research Associate to join our research team to perform CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in Pluripotent Stem Cells with the aim of generating “hypoimmunogenic” photoreceptors that are invisible to the human immune system.
We are seeking candidates with a PhD in developmental biology, molecular biology, neuroscience (or related areas) with experience in gene editing and Pluripotent Stem cell biology. Experience in retina or vision research is not necessarily required. Check Pubmed and these relevant paper to find out more about our recent joint research: PMID: 33657251, PMID: 30681766, PMID: 30004612, PMID: 26608863.
In this role, you’ll be based at our Newcastle Upon Tyne campus that has fantastic transport links and state of the art facilities. You’ll be joining a highly collaborative and diverse team of 15. We also collaborate with 5 other labs and strongly encourage public engagement on a monthly basis.
To find out more about our work please see below:
Retinal Stem Cell Research - Institute of Genetic Medicine at Newcastle University
Retinogenesis_in_a_Dish_Bibliometric_Analysis_and_.pdf
You will work under the direction of all three investigators from 1st March 2024 fulltime for 2 years on a fixed term contract.
To apply for the position, we’ll need your CV and a personal statement outlining how you are suitable for the role using evidence to highlight how you meet the essential criteria in the knowledge, skills and experience as listed in the job description.
Please focus your covering letter on the below points:
- Generate human hypoimmunogenic Pluripotent Stem cell using a variety of approaches
- Perform the differentiation of hypoimmunogenic Pluripotent Stem Cells to retinal organoids
- Assess the interaction of the hypoimmunogenic Pluripotent Stem Cells and photoreceptors with immune cells using in vitro and in vivo assays
- Perform immunofluorescence analysis of retinas transplanted with human hypoimmunogenic photoreceptors, assessing both engraftment and activation of human immune system
- Lead the experimental planning and co-ordination of various assays performed in collaborating laboratories
If you have any questions prior to applying, please contact Professor Linda Lako (majlinda.lako@ncl.ac.uk).
Research Associate
Key Accountabilities
- Generate human hypoimmunogenic Pluripotent Stem cell using a variety of approaches
- Perform the differentiation of hypoimmunogenic Pluripotent Stem Cells to retinal organoids
- Assess the interaction of the hypoimmunogenic Pluripotent Stem Cells and photoreceptors with immune cells using in vitro and in vivo assays
- Perform immunofluorescence analysis of retinas transplanted with human hypoimmunogenic photoreceptors, assessing both engraftment and activation of human immune system
- Lead the experimental planning and co-ordination of various assays performed in collaborating laboratories
- Regular liaison with the Investigators and researchers working on retinal and stem cell differentiation team and collaborators to ensure high quality of research and timely delivery of the project goals
- Perform data extraction and analysis and ensure full compliance with existing ethical regulations as appropriate
- Lead on the production of high-level scientific information including analysing, writing and presenting reports and manuscripts relevant to the generation of hypoimmunogenic photoreceptors
- Continuously review the literature and technology relevant to the project and ensure that the outputs of the project are positioned appropriately in relation to other on-going work.
- Supervise BSc, MRes and BSc project students
- Contribution to the research programme of the School/Institute under the clear guidance of a member of an academic staff or Principal Investigator
- Use initiative and creativity to analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
- Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal
- Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
- Work to deadlines and manage, with support, competing priorities
- Ensure that personal knowledge in relevant fields of study is kept up to date
- Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate
- Maintain academic standards and freedom, and work in accordance with university policies (e.g. equal opportunities, health and safety policies)
- Laboratories and example classes or in teaching small seminar classes
- Undertake relevant training and development activities to develop capacity for taking on wider responsibilities
- Develop, with advice, an awareness of own professional development needs and a personal development strategy
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Knowledge of stem cell biology
- Experience in CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing
- Experience in differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells
- Experience of tissue processing and immunofluorescence assays
- Ability to work independently and as part of the research project team
- Ability to prioritise key tasks
- Ability to carry out research project work within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and producing research to an appropriate standard
- Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively with others
- Evidence of skills in analysing data using relevant data analysis software packages
Desirable
- Experience in immunology and immunological assays
- Experience of preparing research proposals for submission to competitive funding organisations
- Ability to present findings at leading conferences
- Evidence of potential to publish in high quality peer reviewed journals
Qualifications
- A Masters degree or equivalent qualification
- A PhD awarded for Associate (or submitted for Assistant) in a relevant subject
Senior Research Associate
Key Accountabilities
- Generate human hypoimmunogenic Pluripotent Stem cell using a variety of approaches
- Perform the differentiation of hypoimmunogenic Pluripotent Stem Cells to retinal organoids
- Assess the interaction of the hypoimmunogenic Pluripotent Stem Cells and photoreceptors with immune cells using in vitro and in vivo assays
- Perform immunofluorescence analysis of retinas transplanted with human hypoimmunogenic photoreceptors, assessing both engraftment and activation of human immune system
- Lead high quality research within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and to an appropriate standard
- Contribute to study design and collect, organise and analyse data relating to various projects
- Attend meetings and other events appropriate to the applied research collaboration and its programmes of work
- Prepare papers for publication in high quality peer reviewed journals, and disseminate findings at conferences as required
- Identify and undertake a programme of professional development, including further training in research methods and other transferable skills.
- Carry out administrative tasks and other duties to support the PI and the team of researchers
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Knowledge of stem cell biology
- Experience in differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells
- Experience in CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing
- Experience of tissue processing and immunofluorescence assays
- Ability to work independently and as part of the research project team
- Ability to prioritise key tasks for yourself and for team members
- Ability to carry out research project work within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and producing research to an appropriate standard
- Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively with others
- A substantial profile of peer reviewed journal articles
- A profile of funding secured from a range of competitive sources
- Ability to lead research project work within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and to a high-quality standard
- Evidence of advanced skills in relevant data analysis software packages
- Ability to develop and lead research on methodological aspects of the project
Desirable
- Experience in immunology and immunological assays
- Experience of preparing research proposals for submission to competitive funding organisations
- Ability to present findings at leading conferences
Qualifications
- A Masters degree or equivalent qualification
- A PhD in a relevant subject
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: 26275
