Technical Specialist - Hinxton, United Kingdom - Wellcome Sanger Institute

Description

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.

Senior Research Assistant - Technical Specialist

Open Targets Validation Laboratory

Fixed term for 12 months (Maternity Cover)

About the Role:
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated scientist with expertise in experimental oncology to provide experimental, scientific and operational support to the Open Targets Validation Lab at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Within the Open Targets Consortium , we work with world-leading experts from both academia and industry to run discovery projects for targets of new therapeutic potential, and the mission of the Open Targets Validation Lab is to provide additional experimental evidence to support the relevance of these targets in disease biology. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on a project that comprises the largest, to date, dataset of dual CRISPR perturbations (65K pairs, 45 cell lines, 2 tissue types) and validate therapeutic hypotheses that exploit synthetic lethality in cancer.

The role:

You will lead the execution of experimental workflows to assess targets emerging from projects in our Oncology portfolio. You will support the Open Targets Validation Lab to validate putative therapeutic targets, using CRISPR-Cas9 mediated perturbation in experimental cancer model systems. Your work will require the use of liquid handling equipment to facilitate medium-throughput processing of multiple targets in multiple cell lines, and the use of state-of-the art live-cell imaging and biochemical readouts to inform on the functions of these targets in cancer cell biology.

You will work closely with the lab head and academic team that leads the target identification project to prioritise targets for validation, as well as bioinformaticians and contribute to data analysis and data interpretation. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to engage with industry partners in maximising the translational relevance of this work.

This role is a great opportunity for candidates passionate about translational research and a desire to work at the intersection of academia and industry.

The position is funded for 12 months.

About Us:

Open Targets aims to provide evidence on the biological validity of therapeutic targets and provide an initial assessment of the effectiveness of a pharmacological intervention strategy built around these targets. To achieve this, Open Targets supports multiple large-scale experimental projects that generate potential target lists, and while a small number of these targets are followed up by the original project team, capacity constraints often leave many potentially interesting results under-investigated.

The Open Targets Validation Lab aims to bridge the gap between large-scale target identification projects and uptake of nominated targets into drug development pipelines, through the implementation of a large-scale target validation framework. Using the most cutting-edge technologies in genome editing and gene/protein modulation, the Open Targets Validation Lab is operating in a systematic, medium-throughput manner to provide independently-generated evidence for these targets and their mechanisms of action.

Essential Skills:

• Degree in Cellular biology, Cancer biology or related discipline
• PhD or post-graduate degree in a relevant research area
• Extensive research experience and technical competence in mammalian cell culture for cellular biology and/or experimental oncology (experience with cancer cell lines will be a plus)
• Extensive experience in a cell biology lab environment and in-depth understanding of fundamental principles in assay development and optimisation (e.g. include QC implementation, use of experimental controls, understanding of assay detection ranges, multiplexing)
• Experience in gene modulation technologies, with a focus on CRISPR-Cas9, and their delivery to cells through transduction and transfection
• Experience in real-time imaging techniques
• Computer literate with experience in data analysis, visualisation and presentation
• Proven track record of delivering complex experimental scientific projects
• Ability to communicate ideas and scientific findings effectively in an interdisciplinary environment
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Excellent prioritisation and time management skills, and ability to organise own workload
• Ability to use initiative, troubleshoot and work independently on agreed tasks
• Detail-oriented and highly organised, including keeping excellent scientific records
• Excellent, team-oriented work ethic with strong interpersonal skills.

Desired Skills:

• Research experience/in-depth understanding of arrayed phenotypic screening
• Knowledge of colorectal cancer and/or breast cancer biology
• Understanding of the principles of synthetic lethality in cancer
• A proven track record of productivity and innovation in academia or industry
• Passion for translational research and advancing scientific discoveries to new therapies.

Other Information:

Informal inquiries can be made directly to Panos Zalmas, head of the Open Targets Validation Lab )

Salary: £40,523 - £48,142

Contract: 12 months (maternity cover)

Closing date: 2nd May

Interviews: 13th - 17th May 2024

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.