Advanced Research Assistant | 12-month Fixed-term

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity's greatest challenges.

We are seeking an experienced scientist to join us as an Advanced Research Assistant in the Spatial Genomic Platform (SGP) within Scientific Operations (SciOps). SGP is focused on supporting the science across the institute using Spatial Genomics Technologies enabling full-transcriptome modelling of cells in their tissue context at single-cell resolution.

As an Advanced Research Assistant, you will join a multi-disciplinary team working collaboratively to utilise emerging technologies in Spatial Genomics. The role is predominantly lab-based running, Spatial Genomic assays and working closely with all members of the team, faculty and pipeline groups at the Institute. This role requires a highly organised and flexible individual, keen to learn new methods in the spatial transcriptomics and histology field. Ideally, you will have experience in Spatial Genomics techniques, although training will be provided.

About the role

You will be working independently in a team of highly motivated Research Assistants, Technical Specialists and senior managers to deliver all aspects of the Spatial Genomics platform, generating high-quality data for a variety of projects. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills alongside strong time management and organisational skills are needed in abundance, as is the ability to troubleshoot and identify areas for process improvement.

Duties include:

• Delivering spatial transcriptomics/histology techniques, for example Visium spatial transcriptomics and Xenium.
  
• Molecular biology including spri clean ups, qPCR, RNA/DNA QC and library preparation.
  
• Liaising with team members and collaborators to ensure scientific integrity is maintained
  
• Hold other responsibilities that will aid in self-development and the running of the department.
  

About You:

This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive, motivated and adaptable individual to support science delivery at scale. This role requires a highly flexible individual, keen to learn and share knowledge and experiences to deliver high-quality data efficiently, in a busy environment.

To be successful in this role you will need:

• Planning, organisational and time management skills in abundance
  
• Excellent teamwork, communication and relationship-building skills
  
• A strong appetite to learn the histology, molecular biology and imaging skills required for this role
  
• Ambition to acquire experience working with Fresh Frozen (FF) or Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) histology samples, in particular, sectioning of tissue samples
  

About Us:

We are a core operations group, responsible for providing histology-based spatial genomics resource and expertise to the wider institute. Working as a cohesive team, to successfully deliver several product lines, building a culture of respect and continuous process improvements to enable science at pace. Our role is to support the institute in its aims and for that, we continually strive to remain at the forefront of cutting-edge research including exploring automation opportunities.

Our purpose is to contribute to the emergence and testing of new spatial technologies, providing the spatial context of sequencing data. Ultimately, the work we do will inform the understanding of the human body, therefore contributing to the understanding of disease, diagnosis and treatment. This includes public engagement that relates to the overarching contribution to science in the community.

Further information about the team can be found here.

Please include a CV and covering letter with your application describing how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Applications: Please include a cover letter along with your CV. In your cover letter include detail on how your knowledge, skills and experience match the requirements of the role described.

Salary: £32,600 - £39,200

Closing Date: Sunday 13-OCTOBER

Contract duration: 12 months

Role profile: For the full list of accountabilities and criteria, please click here.

Internal Applications:

Secondment opportunities will be considered for this fixed-term position and prior approval from existing managers should be sought in advance of your application

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the role may close when a successful appointment has been made.

View our 2023-2024 Institute Highlights here: bit.ly/SangerHighlights2023-24

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That's why we're committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.