Research Assistant/ Associate - Regulation of gene expression

Salary:

Research Assistant £32,296 to £33,882 per annum

Research Associate £34,866 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 05 January 2025

The Role

This post is an exciting opportunity for a Research Assistant/Associate to work on a new project investigating the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease during prostate cancer therapy. The project is funded by the JGW Patterson Foundation and is aimed at generating pilot data to support further funding applications.

We are looking for a motivated researcher to join our group to perform transcriptomics and functional assays in human cardiomyocytes treated with prostate cancer hormone therapy drugs.

In this role, you will be based at our Newcastle Upon Tyne campus that has fantastic transport links and state of the art facilities. You will be a member of the Newcastle University Biosciences Institute (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/biosciences/) as well as the ‘Cells, Genes and Molecules’ and the ‘Vascular Biology and Medicine’ research themes (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/research-themes/).

You will work with a highly collaborative and diverse team of RNA biologists, as well as vascular and cancer researchers based in Newcastle, Leeds and Sheffield.

This project will provide an opportunity to develop and expand the fast-growing research area of cardio-oncology, with a unique angle on nuclear biology. You will acquire skills in cellular and molecular biology while gaining knowledge in a  multidisciplinary research area, and there will be a possibility to learn basic bioinformatics skills on your own data.

What do we need from you?

To apply for the position, you’ll provide your CV and a covering letter outlining how you are suitable for the role using examples to highlight how you meet the essential criteria in the knowledge, skills and experience as listed in the job description.

Please focus your cover letter on the following key areas, outlining your proven ability and experience with:
-    Regulation of gene expression, especially RNA transcription and processing
-    Molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acid extraction, PCR-based methods and Western blotting
-    Mammalian cell culture (ideally including drug treatment and nucleic acid transfection)
-    Leading the experimental planning and coordination of a laboratory-based research project
 

This post is fixed term for a period of 12 months.

If you have any questions prior to applying, please contact Dr Sara Luzzi (sara.luzzi@newcastle.ac.uk).

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/

Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles.  These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Please note that if you are successful to this role, you will require a DBS and a medical clearance before you can commence in the role

Key Accountabilities

• Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value' 
• Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements 
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding 
• Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
• May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants 
• Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute
• May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
• Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment
• Undertake appropriate reading and literature review in fields that are relevant to the project including gene expression, prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease, and employ this acquired knowledge for interpretation of results and project development
• Determining requirements for laboratory consumables orders as well as ensuring correct storage, handling and disposal of chemicals and biological materials in accordance with local rules and legal requirements
• Keep excellent laboratory records of all experimental procedures and outcomes, enabling their access to other team members
• Participate fully as a member of the research group including attendance to group meetings, input into other on-going projects and day-to-day organisation of the laborator

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
• Detailed subject knowledge of transcription and RNA processing, especially RNA splicing and polyadenylation
• Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects 
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability 
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others 
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment 
• Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications 
• Laboratory experience in cell and molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acid extraction, cDNA synthesis, PCR-based methods, Western blot analyses, plasmid cloning, mammalian cell culture, transfection
• Ability to formulate hypothesis, identify suitable approaches to test them, and develop potential contingency plans
• Ability to critically interpret data, troubleshoot or provide input towards troubleshooting technical challenges
• Understanding of laboratory safety protocols and good housekeeping of laboratory equipment
• Adaptability to adjust to changing project needs, protocols, and timelines, and willingness to learn new methods as research evolves

Desirable

• Experience in transcriptomics methodologies and bioinformatics, as well as competency with on-line databases such as UCSC Genome Browser, Ensembl, UNIPROT, and programs like GraphPad Prism and Integrative Genome Viewer
• Previous experience with cell line immunostaining and/or colorimetric assays
• Knowledge of cancer biology and/or cardiovascular biology

Attributes and Behaviour

• Professional attitude including ability to work well on own initiative and as part of a team
• Ability to prioritise key tasks
• Commitment to upholding research integrity, following ethical guidelines, and ensuring accuracy and honesty in data reporting
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to promote a culture of mutual respect
• Ability to adhere to laboratory booking systems and demonstrate flexibility when coordinating use of communal equipment, ensuring smooth workflow and respectful sharing of resources

Qualifications

• Good honours degree (or equivalent) in any life/biomedical science with some subject knowledge in transcription, post-transcriptional regulation, RNA sequencing, cell senescence and apoptosis (Research Assistant)
• A PhD in life/biomedical sciences, ideally within the cancer, vascular or nuclear biology fields (Research Associate)
   

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 27802