Research Officer

Job title:

Research Officer

Company

Bangor University

Job description

Applications are invited for the above fixed-term 17-month full-time post of Post-Doctoral Research Officer, working in the North West Cancer Research Institute within the North Wales Medical School at Bangor University.The successful applicant will be an enthusiastic and driven researcher who will work as part of a UKRI-funded project detailing novel chemoresistance mechanisms driven by altered replication fork dynamics. Techniques involved will include basic cell and molecular biology methods (cell culture, survival assays, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry), genetic disruption via CRISPR-Cas9, DNA fibre assays and recombinant protein production. Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant discipline, and have previous experience in cell culture as well as basic cell and molecular biology techniques.This role will be located on campus at Bangor.Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.The successful candidate will be expected to commence on 1st July 2025.Committed To Equal OpportunitiesOverviewNorth Wales Medical SchoolThe North Wales Medical School (NWMS) is the focus for medical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical research and teaching at Bangor University. The school comprises of over 90 staff, delivering a career-spanning portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that continues to expand. These include existing programmes in Biomedical and Medical Sciences, Pharmacology, Physician’s Associate and the franchised Cardiff C21 North Wales medicine programme.From Autumn 2024 onwards, the University’s Welsh Government-backed North Wales Medical School will commence its new, independent Medicine programme, whilst a new Pharmacy MPharm programme is due to commence in 2025, subject to General Pharmaceutical Council approval.The School’s research centres are organised with partner schools within the Bangor Institute for Medical and Health Research (BIHMR), spanning medicines optimisation, primary care, clinical trials, health economics, ageing and dementia, public health and cancer biology and pharmacology.The ProjectThe Staples laboratory has identified several novel factors associated with nascent DNA and is working to assess the roles of these factors during chemotherapy-induced replication stress. More specifically, we have identified a new mechanism via which cancer cells can become resistant to nascent DNA chain termination by nucleoside analogues such as Gemcitabine and are working to fully characterise this mechanism with the longer-term goal of developing precision medicine strategies to improve treatment selection and outcomes for cancer patients.Purpose of the JobThe post is part of an enthusiastic team working in cancer biology and genome stability. The post holder will be responsible for planning, conducting and analysing laboratory-based experiments to generate high-quality data suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals of good standing.The successful applicant will also attend international conferences to disseminate their findings and contribute to manuscript writing.Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols.

• Test hypotheses and analyse scientific data, and be able to review and refine working hypotheses as appropriate.

• Work to identify, develop, modify and apply the necessary techniques to achieve the goals of the project.

• Communicate progress effectively with the PI, colleagues and collaborators.

• Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment.

• Present findings at conferences.

• Assist with manuscript preparation.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.

• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.

• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/herself and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.

• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Person SpecificationQualifications/TrainingEssential:

• A PhD in a relevant subject or very near completion.

Desirable:

• At least one first-authored publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Experience/KnowledgeEssential:

• The ability to undertake quantitative analysis, and appropriate skills in relevant research methods and data analysis.

• Previous experience of cell culture.

Desirable:

• Experience of confocal microscopy.

Skills/AbilitiesEssential:

• Demonstrate good verbal and written skills.

• Demonstrate good analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results appropriately.

• Demonstrate the ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines.

Desirable:

• Demonstrate proven project management skills.

• Demonstrate good computer skills, including MS Office, Powerpoint, Excel, Prism, Image.

• Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team.

• Demonstrate interpersonal skills.

GeneralThe 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 strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) . If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.

Expected salary

Location

Bangor, Co Down

Job date

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 23:38:46 GMT

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