Research Associate – Infectious Diseases

Job id: 083448. Salary: £43,205 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 29 January 2024. Closing date: 19 February 2024.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Department of Infectious Diseases.

Contact details:Monica Agromayor. [email protected]

Location: . Category: Research.

Job Description

We are seeking to appoint a cell/molecular biologist with a PhD in Cell/Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry or related disciplines. The candidate will be hardworking with a proven scientific track record and will have a strong background in molecular biology, cell biology and microscopy.

You will be in a supportive and nurturing environment where we want you to succeed and will work with members of Dr Agromayor’s and Professor Juan Martin-Serrano’s Groups.

The nucleus is a dynamic organelle capable of sensing multiple environmental inputs. Importantly, whilst mechanical forces can impact nuclear shape, nuclear morphology also contributes to cellular function. Thus, deformations of the nuclear envelope (NE) can be sensed either as physiological signals that will modulate tissue homeostasis or as detrimental perturbations that can lead to disease development. You will be responsible for the delivery of BBSRC-funded research aiming to investigate how signalling from NE deformations is regulated and to identify the molecular mechanisms that differentiate physiological and pathological NE deformations.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Monica Agromayor ( [email protected] ) and Professor Juan Martin-Serrano ( [email protected] )

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract until February 2027.

This is a full-time post – 100% full time equivalent.

Key Responsibilities

• The post holder needs to be able to use of a wide range of laboratory techniques and experimental strategies to meet the objectives outlined above.
• The post holder will be expected to exercise initiative in project planning, development and delivery and work towards a degree of independence without close supervision.
• The post holder must be willing and able to work collegially as part of a team, to interact with collaborators and other members of the group working on related projects and to contribute to general laboratory tasks.
• The post holder will prepare manuscripts for publication and present data at internal and external scientific meetings.
• The post holder must be able (or be prepared to learn) to supervise research assistants and students at undergraduate and PhD level.
• The post holder will help ensure that equipment is safe and maintained in working order and assist with laboratory upkeep and adhere to local laboratory based and safety policies.
• Additional Requirements & Expectations:
• To work occasionally outside normal office hours
• To maintain consistent and regular progress reporting to the Head of Group
• To contribute to the overall activity of the department as required

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Essential criteria

A PhD in Cell Biology, Biochemistry or a related subject

Excellent knowledge of the following areas: cell biology, biochemistry, molecular genetics, & informatics.

Advanced skills and extensive experience working with cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry and basic aspects of microscopy.

Demonstrate a high level of analytical and problem solving capability.

Ability to communicate complex information with clarity.

Desirable criteria

Track record of peer-reviewed, primary authorship scientific publications in high-profile journals.

Applicants should be in a position to bring individual skills and insights to the research, for example suggesting ideas, methodologies and interpretations

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.