Research Assistant

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to work on cardio-immunology within King’s BHF Centre of Excellence. Myocardial infarction is the commonest cause of heart failure and there is compelling evidence implicating excessive inflammation as a key contributor. Cardiac-resident leucocyte subsets as important mediators of the inflammatory response to cardiac injury, but it is not clear how signalling in these cells is regulated.  

 

The project aims to delineate signalling in leucocytes after myocardial infarction using in vivo models and multi-platform ‘omics’ approaches. These studies will provide invaluable knowledge on the regulation of inflammation after MI. We aim to identify and target novel signalling pathways and transcriptional regulators of inflammation that we can translate to the bedside to alleviate progression to heart failure.  

 

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic candidate to join our pre-clinical and translational research. The successful applicant will be expected to develop and undertake research of high quality consistent with the aims of the project. They will contribute to all facets of the lab, including managing specific work packages and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team. The post will be originally offered for 2 years with the possibility of extension. 

 
 

This post will be offered on an 24 months fixed-term  

This is a full-time  post - 100% full time equivalent

 

Key responsibilities

•               Perform murine and human primary cell isolation and in vitro experiments, including cell culture and functional assays. 

•               Perform cell sorting and flow cytometry, including data analysis. 

•               Perform ELISA/cytokine array experiments. 

•               Present data at regular group meetings. 

•               Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment. 

•               Support the training of undergraduate and postgraduate project students.  

•               Interact scientifically with other members of the group, departmental colleagues, and collaborators. Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars. 

•               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 and administrative activities within the framework of the agreed research objectives and milestones. 

•               Support the technical aspects of the smooth running of the lab Including genotyping, stock control, reagent preparation, and tidiness of work areas. 

 

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.       Have experience and/or expertise in inflammation, immunology and/or leucocyte biology. 

2.       Have proven expertise in working with primary cells; be able to perform routine molecular biology protocols, including DNA isolation, PCR, RT-PCR, cell culture and treatment, cell fractionation, flow cytometry, ELISA, and functional assays.  

3.       Possess scientific integrity and understanding of the importance of study design, power calculations and statistical analysis. 

4.       Commitment to continuing personal and professional development.  

5.       Good written presentation skills, communication skills (written & verbal), and IT skills. 

6.       Ability to work independently and integrate with colleagues, work as part of a team, and undertake a share of group tasks. 

7.       Able to carry out know/learnt techniques unsupervised, and flexible/able to change in current professional context. 

8.       Proven ability to manage own research and administrative activities efficiently, prioritise, meet targets and deadlines, and keep clear and well-organised laboratory notes and records. 

9.       Background in cardiovascular biology. 

10.   Have experience in contributing to publications/presentations. 

 

Desirable criteria

11.   Experience of wet lab workflows for bulk and single cell RNA sequencing.  

12.   Hold a Home Office personal licence. Expertise in in vivo cardiovascular models in mice.

13.   Have experience of independently managing a discrete area of a research project.

 

Further information

We would like to successful candidate to start 1st April 2023. 

 

Interviews are planned mid-February.