Senior Research Assistant
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

This post will support a Kidney Research UK Intermediate Fellowship awarded to Dr Kathryn Garner. It will be based in the Department of Applied Sciences at City Campus, Northumbria University in Newcastle. We are seeking to appoint a highly committed, motivated and creative scientist for an inter-disciplinary project working on kidney podocytes. The post is fixed-term until 31st January 2022, although this may be extended subject to available funds. The successful candidate will work closely with computational biologists.

Podocytes form the specialised sieve in the kidney glomerulus, which filters waste products from the blood into the urine. Podocyte damage or death enlarges the holes in the sieve and leads to the loss of vital proteins from the blood (proteinuria), further kidney damage and ultimately, chronic kidney disease, for which there is no cure. This project will survey the signalling dynamics evoked in podocytes by high blood pressure (Angiotensin II hormone) and inflammation (TNF cytokine) with the view to identifying novel drug targets. Signalling networks will be explored quantitatively using a high content imaging system in the Bioimaging Facility at Newcastle University, and using mathematical modelling with collaborator Dr Daryl Shanley, Reader in Systems Biology of Ageing at Newcastle University.

You should hold, or be close to completion of, a PhD in biochemistry, molecular or cellular biology, pharmacology, physiology, or a related subject. The post will involve cell culture, immunofluorescence microscopy, co-immunoprecipitation and western blotting techniques. Prior experience of working in a wet laboratory and of using these methods would be advantageous, however full training will be given as appropriate during the appointment. An interest in mammalian signal transduction and in systems biology would be desirable. Excellent communication and organisation skills are essential. A track record of scientific publications (evidenced by first author contributions) would be desirable.  We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Kathryn Garner by email kathryn.garner@northumbria.ac.uk  

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now', and submit a covering letter, CV including research /education statements, and grants and publications list. Please highlight your highest quality research outputs (please indicate a rank from 1 to 4) up to a maximum of 4, since 2017.  In addition, candidates are asked to provide copies of the top 2 research outputs (Journal / book chapter /practice-based portfolio).  Where possible candidates are asked to combine all of these documents into a single file.

If you are successful in your application for this role, you will be employed by Northumbria University Services Limited.  Further details can be found at https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/work-for-us/nu-services-limited/ 

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community.The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender equality and is a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers.

We welcome applications from the UK and across the world.Visit our web pages for details about the Information and Support for International Colleagues.

Please note this vacancy will close on 18/04/2021