Research Assistant, Department of Women and Children’s Health

Job ID: 020884

Salary: £32,676 - £37,297 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

Posted: 16-Apr-2021

Closing date: 30-Apr-2021

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine

Department: Department of Women & Children's Health

Contact details: Professor Rachel Tribe, rachel.tribe@kcl.ac.uk

St. Thomas' Campus   Research    

Job description
This a short-term post to complete some research related to an Action Medical and Borne funded research grant on cervical-vaginal extracellular vesicles and preterm birth.

The post-holder will join a multidisciplinary team whose focus is understanding mechanisms of spontaneous, preterm birth in order to identify novel biomarkers for prediction of disease and targets for clinical intervention. The post holder will need to be a quick learner, focused, and produce results within the time frame to report to the charities.
 
The post holder will be expected to undertake experimental work including isolation of extracellular vesicles from human biological fluid and 3D vaginal epithelial cell culture. Also, provide samples for proteomics work with other to analyze resultant data and contribute to drafting a publication.
 
This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 6 months.

This is a full-time  post. 

Key responsibilities

• Undertake laboratory-based research as described above under the supervision of Prof. Rachel Tribe and collaborator Dr James Mason (Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, KCL)
• Maintain accurate and reproducible laboratory notebooks and data records of all research activities; back these up regularly 
• Provide Prof Tribe with regular updates of research progress and results
• Analyse data and assist in preparing a manuscript for timely publication
• Present work locally and at a conference should the opportunity arise
• Read relevant research literature
• Order consumables required for research activities
• Maintain a clean laboratory and office environment; ensure organised storage of samples and maintain accurate freezer, fridge and laboratory storage records.
• Undertake HTA/GCP/data protection/health and Safety etc. training on a regular basis and ensure all activities undertaken comply with these regulations and standards. 
• Assist with the maintenance and monitoring of specific research participant database(s)
• Participate in regular laboratory meetings, journal clubs, Departmental and School meetings etc. 
• Contribute to the academic life of the Dept. and School as required e.g. teaching and other duties as required.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

• BSc in a relevant a relevant Biomedical Sciences subject (e.g. immunology, reproductive biology, cell biology)
• Proven, relevant laboratory skills
• IT skills – powerpoint, Word/Excel or equivalent
• Good written and communication skills
• Organisational skills (lab/analysis/regulatory)
• Ability to work effectively in a team

Desirable criteria

• Relevant MSc/Interest in pregnancy or reproductive biology
• Good analytical skills
• Knowledge of statistics and relevant statistical packages 

Further information
This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.