Research Assistant/Associate

Location: 

Newcastle, GB

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Salary :

Research Assistant : £28,756 – £30,497 per annum
Research Associate : £31,406 – £40,927 per annum

Closing Date: 31th January 2022

The Role 

We are looking for an experienced researcher to work onFAP-DMD: elucidating the role of fibroadipogenic precursor cells in the pathogenesis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The main aim of the project is to characterize the process of muscle degeneration, fibrosis and adipogenesis that takes place in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In this study we are going to use a variety of new technologies including single nuclei/cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and mass cytometry to study muscle biopsies of patients with DMD. Moreover, we are isolating FAPs that will be characterized in vitro and used to develop a new 3D cell culture model. We aim to identify the molecular pathways regulating FAP differentiation and eventually identify drugs that can block these pathways.

This post is tenable for 3 years.

The post will be based at the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (JWMDRC) at Newcastle University.

Informal enquires to Prof. Jordi Diaz Manera via Jordi.Diaz-Manera@newcastle.ac.uk

For further information please see www.newcastle-muscle.org

Key Accountabilities

•    Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, they should contribute with new ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial ‘added value’
•    Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
•    Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
•    Contribute to the writing up of their research and its 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
•    Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop their own research objectives and proposals for funding
•    Involvement in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants
•    Start to develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment
•    Write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
•    May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
•    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.

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

•    Detailed subject knowledge in the physiologic basis of muscular dystrophies.
•    Experience in working with experimental animal models of muscular disorders.
•    Experience in cell culture, especially muscle cells such as myoblasts, fibroblasts and fibro-adipogenic precursor cells.
•    Experience in analysis of protein expression in muscle samples using immunofluorescence or western-blot.
•    Knowledge of Real-Time PCR workflow: RNA extraction, RT and RNA quantification using both SYBR and Taqman.
•    Previous experience with transcriptomics studies (Desirable)
•    Experience with flow cytometry and with the preparation of samples for sorting.
•    Experience with R or python software (Desirable)

Attributes and Behaviour

•    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

Qualifications

•    A PhD or the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience in the research area required at Associate level.

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global 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 our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.

The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University also holds the HR Excellence in Research award for our work to support the career development of our researchers, and is a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

We understand how important the full employment package is to our colleagues at Newcastle University and we are committed to providing a great range of benefits and discounts for all.  You can learn more about what is available here on our Benefits Website page.

Requisition ID: 15564