Are you an early career researcher looking for your first challenge?  Do you have a background in haematological malignancies or expression profiling and RNA-seq?  Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research intensive Universities and aligned to a clinical diagnostic environment?

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly-motivated individual to work in a team as part of a multi-centre laboratory programme aimed at developing a diagnostic platform for precision medicine in lymphoma.

Your main role will be carrying out a range of laboratory techniques which will include gene expression profiling and RNA sequencing from primary patient samples. You will be responsible for day to day molecular analysis of samples acquired as part of a collaboration between the Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (HMDS) at St. James University Hospital (Leeds), and the Universities of Southampton, Oxford, Cambridge and Queen Mary (London).

The work will involve handling and processing of biological samples, extraction of nucleic acids from patient samples, and analysis mainly using gene expression analysis including RNA-seq. You will be expected to perform laboratory assays to a high standard and critically review results, particularly with regard to quality.

You will be responsible for the accurate maintenance of all samples, records and findings, working in line with standard operating procedures, information governance, defined protocols and ethical guidelines. As agreed with the research team, you will organise your own workload, and work both independently and as a part of the team, liaising with colleagues and staff within the University and the NHS.

You will be qualified to a degree level (or be about to submit a thesis for examination) in a relevant subject or hold equivalent qualifications and have experience of a laboratory environment. You will also have prior experience or knowledge of gene expression analysis and sequencing. Knowledge of the biology of leukaemia and lymphoma would be an advantage.

The post is based at St James’s University Hospital, as part of the Division of Haematology and Immunology of the Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James’s, with your work based in the Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (HMDS) of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Consequently the post requires close collaboration with other laboratory staff in the department and with those engaged in the bioinformatics components of the project.

This is a new post funded by Bloodwise that will be available for a fixed term of three years at 80% fte, and be based in HMDS at St James’s University Hospital, Bexley Wing, Leeds.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr Sharon Barrans; Tel: (0113) 206 7851; Email: Sharon.barrans@nhs.net    

Professor Reuben Tooze; Tel: (0113) 34 38639; Email: R.Tooze@leeds.ac.uk

Further Information

The University of Leeds is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offers a range of family friendly policies. The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN and holds the Bronze award. The School of Medicine holds the Gold Award.  We are committed to being an inclusive medical school that values all staff, and we are happy to consider job share applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from our employees.

Location:  Leeds - St James University Hospital
Faculty/Service:  Faculty of Medicine & Health
School/Institute:  Leeds Institute of Medical Research (LIMR)
Section:  Haematology & Immunology
Category:  Administrative and Clerical Support
Grade:  Grade 6
Salary:  £27,511 to £32,817 p.a. pro rata
Working Time:  80% at 28 hours per week
Post Type:  Part Time
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (36 months)    
Closing Date:  Friday 21 February 2020    
Downloads:  Candidate Brief