Research Assistant - Hammersmith, United Kingdom - Imperial College London

Imperial College London

Verified Company

Hammersmith, United Kingdom

1 week ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

The advertised position will be working in Dr Andrew Cowburn's research group within the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI), Vascular Science department, Faculty of Medicine.

Our laboratory is interested in how low oxygen levels (hypoxia) impact patho-physiology in lung disease. Progressive inflammatory damage to lung tissue leads to profound local, and ultimately systemic, hypoxia.

Our research focuses on understanding how hypoxia affects leukocyte function, and how this contributes to inflammatory lung disease progression and cardiovascular complications.

We are also interested in the impact of extreme environments on physiological responses.

We use a combination of human tissue/blood samples from healthy volunteers and patients with lung diseases, and experimental rodent models of hypoxia and lung injury.

The post-holder will be involved in the characterisation of physiological responses to hypoxia, and the investigation of mechanisms of hypoxia-driven inflammatory lung/cardiovascular disease, including testing novel therapeutics.

The post-holder will process blood samples for leukocyte isolation and conduct various _in vitro_ assays, including cell culture under hypoxia.

Duties and responsibilities:

Under the direction of the line manager, you will be involved in:

Planning and executing experiments using the following techniques:
Leukocyte (neutrophil and peripheral blood mononuclear cell) isolation

- _ In vitro _cell culture (including leukocytes and endothelial cells)

Cell culture using a hypoxia workstation
Cell staining and flow cytometry
ELISA
DNA/RNA extraction and quantification
Western blot
Collection, preparation, processing and storage of samples
Experimentation with primary cells

The role will also involve other duties that include:

General laboratory administrative duties including ordering
Maintaining stocks of cell lines, and routine supplies
Documentation and analysis of experimental data
Participation in local laboratory meetings
Good laboratory practice
Assisting with presentation of results to the group
Liaison with collaborators
Helping to maintain a highly efficient working laboratory
Undertaking any necessary training as required

Essential requirements:

Hold a degree in life sciences or equivalent relevant laboratory based experience
Experience in laboratorybased research, including preparation, processing and storage of blood and/or cell samples
Excellent _in vitro_ cell culture practice
Knowledge of basic research methods and statistical procedures
Computer literacy including Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint
Ability to work with limited supervision and keep records
Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
Ability to work as part of a team
Be prepared to have an active involvement with daily running of the laboratory
Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times

Further information:

This is a Part Time and Fixed Term post based at the Hammersmith Campus, London.-
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