Research Associate – INTERNAL ONLY

Job id: 083886. Salary: £43,205 – £49,263 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 05 February 2024. Closing date: 11 February 2024.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Institute of Pharmaceutical Science.

Contact details:Prof. Maya Thanou. [email protected]

Location: Waterloo Campus. Category: Research.

Job description
THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

This is a research post aiming to assist Professor Thanou in the design and expediting their research projects for publication in academic paper and securing grant funding.

With the rapidly growing interest in cavitation mediated blood brain barrier opening for the treatment of various neurological diseases, the development of new cavitation agents is critical for the continued development of this paradigm shifting clinical technology. Current cavitation agents – microbubbles have poor in vivo stability, therefore the main objective of this post is to develop novel multimodal nanodroplet formulations that can be used as a more stable replacement for microbubbles in non-invasive blood brain barrier opening.

The nanodroplets will be made from novel imageable lipid conjugates and commercially available biocompatible lipids. As part of this post the holder will be directly responsible for the synthesis and formulation of the nanodroplets and the subsequent proof of principle in vitro/in vivo experiments.

The role includes  

Research project detailed planning

Experimental design and preparation of protocols

Experiments execution and analysis of data

Interpretation of results and preparation of reports

Organising materials and methods for experiments.

Science communications and presentation

Cooperating with PI for the preparation of the next research award

The person will report to Prof Thanou on a regular basis.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 1 year.

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

Key responsibilities

• Design and develop new chemical synthesis methods adapted to lipid-conjugates for MRI/NIRF contrast agents.
• To perform routine characterization of the synthesized products.
• To assess the effect of the nanodroplets on blood brain barrier in vitro
• Evaluation of the cavitation properties and in vitro stability of their assemblies.
• Perform biodistribution in vivo studies using the novel nanodroplets.
• Assess the MRI properties in vivo
• To investigate the nanodroplets on opening BBB in vivo and affect brain tumours 
• Write and preparing publications/posters/oral presentations.
• Participate to the common laboratory tasks.
• Participate in the supervision of trainees and doctoral students.
• Contribute to UKRI grant writing as researcher co-I

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.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria  

PhD or Master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences, biology, chemistry or a related discipline.

Experience of formulating colloidal products such as lipid nanoparticles, polymeric delivery vehicles, other nanoparticle technologies, injectables or emulsions.

Significant experience in the synthesis of novel functional lipid conjugates.

Strong technical knowledge of stimuli responsive drug delivery technologies.

Experience in analytical instrumentations used in formulation characterization (particle size and zeta potential measurements, drug loading etc.).

Strong record of scientific excellence evidenced by publications, patents and presentations.

Thorough understanding of principles, applications and management of Safety Health and Environment (SHE).

Practical skills for the design and synthesis and purification of new cavitation materials.

Practical skills with cell based and in vivo assays to assess the performance of nanomedicines.

Experience working with nanomedicines and experience formulating intracellular delivery systems.

Desirable criteria

Holder of a home office PIL.

A working knowledge of cavitation and its role in blood brain barrier opening.

Good track record in writing publications and presenting their work in posters/oral presentations at high profile conferences.

* 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.

Further information

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.