Research Assistant

Job description
This is an exciting opportunity to work on regenerative medicine within King’s BHF Centre of Excellence. Microvascular dysfunction has recently emerged as a key contributor to cardiovascular diseases and a novel regulator of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The systemic proinflammatory state triggered by many comorbidities was shown to correlate with microvascular inflammation, the production of profibrotic cytokines, and extracellular matrix remodelling.  
This project will focus on establishing a human organoid model that can faithfully recapitulate the vessel wall/ immune cell interactions in humans. This system will be an innovative tool that will offer unique insights into the mechanisms and triggers of vascular dysfunction.
 
Our aim is to develop a novel pipeline that integrates organoid technologies, genome engineering workflows and precision medicine approach through the use of patient derived iPS cells. These vascular/ immune cell organoids will be used for mechanistic studies to identify novel therapeutic targets that could limit or reverse microvascular inflammation.
This is an interdisciplinary project with strong translational potential that will employ a variety of cutting edge cellular and molecular techniques such as regenerative medicine/iPS cells, organoids and gene editing systems coupled with in-depth mechanistic assays.
 
This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 12 months 
This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities
•               Perform cell/tissue culture experiments, including iPSC culture and organoid generation.  
•               Perform immunofluorescence/immunochemistry experiments on fixed tissue sections.  
•               Perform high-resolution imaging on confocal microscopes.  
•               Present data at regular group meetings.  
•               Support the training of undergraduate and postgraduate project students.  
•               Interact scientifically with other members of the group and departmental colleagues. 
•               Facilitate collaboration and networking which engages and supports the activities of the project 
•               Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for journal publication.  
•               Plan own day-to-day research activity within the framework of the agreed research schedule 
•               Support the technical aspects of the smooth running of the lab Including stock maintenance, reagent preparation.  
•               Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be relevant to the role outline. 
 
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  
 
1.            PhD in a Biological Sciences or related discipline.  
2.            Tissue/cell culture experience. 
3.            Immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy experience. 
4.            Good written presentation skills, communication skills (written & verbal), and good IT skills 
5.            Broad molecular biology research experience (e.g. cloning, RT-PCR) 
6.            Broad cell biology experience, e.g. immunoblotting, primary cell culture 
7.            Successful completion of research projects (published papers in high Impact Factor journals) 
8.            Motivated and hard-working.   
9.            Ability to learn new techniques/skills on the job.   
10.        Ability to integrate with colleagues and work as part of a team.   
11.        Able to carry out know/learnt techniques unsupervised, and flexible/able to change in current professional context 
12.        Able to plan and prioritise workload and keep clear and well-organised laboratory notes and records. 
13.        Willing to undertake share of group tasks. 
 
Desirable criteria
 
1.        Background in cardiovascular biology. 
2.        Experience with flow cytometry.  
3.        Knowledge of molecular genetics.  
4.        Experience of working with iPS-derived cardiomyocytes or engineered heart muscle. 
5.        Experience of working with in-vivo models of disease or gene-modification.