Research Assistant in Molecular Epigenet - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom - Newcastle University

Newcastle University
Newcastle University
Verified Company
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Tom O´Connor

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Tom O´Connor

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Description

Salary:
£31,396 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: 19 March 2024

The Role

You will have two broad and complementary roles. Firstly, you will collect and process clinical samples from orthopaedic procedures undertaken at the Newcastle upon Tyne hospitals.

This involves liaising with research nurses who consent patients, collecting the tissue specimens, bringing them into the research laboratory and processing these by isolating cells or nucleic acids.

The second role is to conduct an independent molecular and cell biology project within the group of the principal investigator (PI), Dr Sarah Rice.


The research project will involve a molecular genetics and epigenetics analysis of osteoarthritis susceptibility loci, along with the generation of 'omics data in cells isolated from the collected tissues.

This will involve the use of primary tissues that the Research Assistant has collected from the hospital.

The project will focus upon the differences in osteoarthritis-associated gene regulatory networks between tissues of the human joint, to understand how biological pleiotropy can contribute to disease.

Full training will be provided, and this is an excellent opportunity to work at the interface between the NHS and the university, whilst gaining a range of technical skills and making a meaningful contribution to ongoing research.


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.

This post is full time, fixed term until May 2026.

Key Accountabilities
Contribution to the research programme of the School/Institute under the clear guidance of a member of an academic staff or Principal Investigator
Use initiative and creativity to analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
Co-ordinate own work with that of others, deal with problems which may affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project's dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, book)
Work to deadlines and manage, with support, competing priorities
Ensure that personal knowledge in relevant fields of study is kept up to date
Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate
Maintain academic standards and freedom, and work in accordance with university policies (e.g., equal opportunities, health and safety policies)
Possible supervision and demonstration duties within undergraduate laboratories and example classes or in teaching small seminar classes
Undertake relevant training and development activities to develop capacity for taking on wider responsibilities
Develop, with advice, an awareness of own professional development needs and a personal development strategy

You will ensure a supply of tissue samples to the research group; this will require liaison with research nurses and with members of the lab who require access to the tissue samples.

Once processed by the post-holder, the tissue components will then be made available to those researchers. Accurate record-keeping will be essential

You will work alongside experienced scientists to carry out experimental design, planning and progress of a research project, including quantitative and qualitative analysis with appropriate guidance.

Often this will involve utilising the samples that you have processed and prepared. Assistance with and use of computer analysis in the interpretation of research results will be provided
Collation, collection, presentation and discussion of results with members of the Principal Investigator's research group will also be necessary

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Good level of analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex information clearly, both orally and through the written word
The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems
Theoretical and practical knowledge of Biomedical Science in a laboratory environment
Knowledge of Health and Safety in laboratories
Good theoretical understanding of genetics and epigenetics (Desirable)

Attributes and Behaviour
Team Working - works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in the team, and establishes and grows relationship
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