Internal Applicants Only – Research Assistant

Job title:

Internal Applicants Only – Research Assistant

Company

Cardiff University

Job description

School / DirectorateSchool of MedicineAdvertThis post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only. Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.Internal Applicants Only – Research Assistant
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life SciencesWe have an exciting opportunity to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced Assistant to join Professor Caleb Webber’s research group within the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Cardiff University.Prof Webber is the national UK DRI Director of Informatics and generating high quality data across a range of collaborations is central to the group’s science. The post holder will play a key role in many projects and a great working relationship between data generation and analyses is paramount to scientific success. While single cell transcriptomics is a prominent data type, the postholder will be encouraged to explore new technologies and platforms of value to the Webber group’s research.The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) funded by the Medical Research Council, is an established well-funded institute focused on elucidating and targeting the pathways and mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease, offering an exciting research environment closely aligned with established expertise in the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics.The UK DRI at Cardiff is one of seven UK centres bringing collectively world-prominent scientists to deliver a step-change in the scientific knowledge of dementia, generating new targets for drug development, reinvigorating the therapeutic pipeline and helping to transform care. Our strategy is to build upon research strengths in dementia genetics, immunology, computational analytics, cellular and whole system modelling and neuroimaging to identify disease mechanisms and therapies for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntingdon’s disease and other dementias.For informal enquiries please contact (Prof Caleb Webber) onThis post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 3rd July 2024 and fixed term until 31st March 2028, based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus.Salary: £32,332 – £34,980 per annum (Grade 5). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.The majority of roles at Cardiff University are currently operating under “blended working” arrangements, with staff having the flexibility to work partly from home and partly from the University campus depending on specific business requirements. Discussions around these arrangements can take place after the successful candidate has been appointed.Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.Closing date: Tuesday, 25 June 2024External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.Post Reference Number18705BRJob DescriptionJob Purpose
To contribute to research within the DRI performing a variety of laboratory procedures related to the analysis of RNA, DNA and proteins, utilising cutting-edge techniques, based mainly on single cell technologies. carrying out supporting work that helps lead to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.Duties and Responsibilities
Key Duties

• To undertake research, e.g. by planning, preparing, desktop research, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of single cell transcriptomic experiments such as from Takara, 10X Genomics, Parse Biosciences and Scale Biosciences and any other new technologies.
• To investigate, analyse and resolve specific issues relating to single cell analysis and other cutting-edge methods, such as biological sample preparation and quality, choosing the right technology for the project and desired outcome, or making recommendations to collaborators.
• To participate actively in the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners.
• To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required.
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages.
• To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required.
• To contribute and support research funding bids as required.
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages
• To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate.
• To provide support in research activities for undergraduate courses and research programmes and provide guidance to other members of staff within the research team.
• To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

General Duties

• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Salary Range Max.34,980GradeGrade 5Salary Range Min.32,332Job CategoryAcademic – Research, Medical & DentalAdditional InformationIMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable criteria.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to you application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance, 18705BRHow we will support you in performing in this role
There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience. We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:1. Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2. An experienced and supportive team around you
3. Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4. A mentoring schemeCareer PathwayResearchPerson SpecificationEssential Criteria
Qualifications and Education
1. A degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience.Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. Knowledge of tissue and cellular processing approaches across a range of starting materials.
3. Knowledge of research methods and techniques within functional transcriptomics, genomics and proteomics such as Single Cell RNASeq, ATAC Seq etc. Evidence of ability to keep up with latest methods and platforms.
4. Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately, with evidence of troubleshooting methodologies and equipment.
5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to contribute to applications to funding bodies.Communication and Team Working
6. Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences including project developments to researchers and collaborators.
7. Excellent organisational and team-working skills.Other
8. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work.Desirable Criteria
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion) in a related subject area and relevant industrial experience.
2. Evidence of collaborations with industry.
3. Proven ability to work independently, without close supervision.
4. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
5. Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.

Expected salary

£32332 – 34980 per year

Location

Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

Job date

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 03:46:02 GMT

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