The Rosalind Franklin Institute is a national research centre, funded by the UK government through UK Research and Innovation, dedicated to bringing about transformative changes in life science through interdisciplinary research and technology. We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Research Assistant to join our Structural Biology and Next Generation Chemistry Themes, to develop advance organoid systems. The Franklin is building tools to be able to image the molecules of disease in their native context, using electrons, light and high-resolution correlative approaches. Importantly, we aim to develop technologies alongside systems that can help us understand disease in the most physiological way possible. Your role will be to support and develop approaches for the growth and manipulation of organoids and support the Franklin in developing new organoids platforms that will help us to unlock fundamental insights in disease processes using our technologies. You will collaborate with other research institutions including the University of Oxford.
Role overview
Your primary task will be to develop and genetically modify organoids culture models (gut, brain) that contain fluorescence targeted to proteins of interest to researchers at the Franklin, or with disease relevant hallmarks that lead to disfunction. The research focuses primarily on epithelia cell adhesions and neurobiology. You will help with lab organisation and upkeep, and work closely with colleagues to prepare organoids from human and mouse sources for further processing by multi-modal imaging. You will contribute to the wider positive culture in the Franklin and will be expected to contribute intellectually to the development of groups at the Institute.
About You
Candidates must hold a graduate level qualification/BSc or MSc in cell biology, molecular biology or similar along with experience in tissue culture and standard molecular biology techniques. We are looking for a colleague with strong organisational and communication skills, with demonstrated laboratory experience. Experience with formulating research questions and devising strategies to address these questions would aid the individual selected for this role. We expect you to be involved on the science including the ability to present data, attend group meetings and help out on publications.
This post would be ideal for a candidate who has developed an understanding of structural/cell biology techniques and who would like to gain further experience in cutting edge techniques in the field. The ideal candidate would be able to adapt to sample preparation requirements, have good inter-personal skills and be willing to aid researchers in difficult state of the art techniques (CryoET and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy).
Responsibilities
You will be responsible to maintain and stablish the organoids workflows including the cell line development and differentiation. You will work with other lab members adapting protocols and selecting appropriate experimental procedures, electronic record-keeping and development training. You will perform genetic editing and genotyping clones and characterization of the organotypic phenotypes. You will provide laboratory management assistance to the core team, i.e., day-to-day coordination and running of the laboratory on the tissue culture or preparation of different samples. You will present scientific work at seminars group meetings and contribute to laboratory discussion on developments within the field by reading scientific literature. When appropriate, to contribute to the overall preparation of research for publication. Ensure that all work done in the laboratory complies with the applicable regulations concerning biohazards, health and safety, and maintain all documentation relevant to the above Home Office and other requirements such as HTA. Any other duties that come up in the normal running of the facility and that can be reasonably requested of the post-holder.
In return we offer:
- 25 days holidays plus bank holidays and Christmas holiday shutdown
- Generous pension scheme (employer’s contribution currently up to 18%)
- Group Life Assurance (also known as Group Life Insurance or Death in Service)
- Hub building with state-of-the-art laboratories
- Training and development opportunities for staff at all levels
- Bus pass discount scheme and good transport links to Oxford and surrounding areas
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Access to employee discount platform (Perkbox)
- Occupational Health and wellbeing support including Employee Assistance (24/7 support and counselling)
- Health Cash Plan
- Subsidised canteen and food outlets on campus
- Free on-site parking
- Campus location in beautiful countryside with social and sports clubs open to staff
Before submitting your application please ensure you read the Job Information Pack for full details of this role on our website.
About us: The Rosalind Franklin Institute is a new national Research Centre, funded by the UK government through UK Research and Innovation, dedicated to bringing about transformative changes in life science through interdisciplinary research and technology.
Location: The Franklin is based in Harwell Campus, UK’s innovation hub and well-established as one of the leading science and innovation campuses in Europe.
The Franklin’s underlying aim is to produce the best science for research today, and this means resolutely embracing a diverse team, who have a wide range of experiences, skills and knowledge to push forward on the innovative work our institution delivers. Both our work and our institution are better for it. For further information, view our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
At the Rosalind Franklin Institute we welcome applications from all around the world!
To be considered for this role, please send a CV and cover letter through explaining why you think you are the right person for this job. Please including information about your education and work experience.
Closing Date: The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Sunday 11th August 2024.