Research Assistant in Clinical Neurosciences
University of Cambridge Department of Clinical Neurosciences
United Kingdom

The University of Cambridge wishes to appoint a Research Assistant to join the research group of Dr Jelle van den Ameele in the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences.

The position is part of a Wellcome-funded project to study molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases. Most of the work in the lab involves Drosophila genetics, various molecular biology and sequencing approaches, microdissection, and confocal and super-resolution imaging in live and fixed samples.

You are expected to oversee and provide technical support to the lab, alongside the group leader and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the laboratory, including ordering supplies and maintaining inventories of reagents and transgenic animals. You will closely interact with other researchers within and outside the lab and be involved in the implementation and development of new techniques. You will have the opportunity to participate actively in experimental design and troubleshooting and have the freedom to develop your own research questions and experiments.

Applicants must have a degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or Cell Biology and in-depth experience in laboratory data management, molecular biology and cell biology. Experience with Drosophila husbandry and genetics are desirable, and the knowledge and ability to perform dissections, immunostaining and confocal microscopy, together with familiarity with next-generation sequencing library preparation would be advantageous. You will join a young and dynamic group, and demonstrate core values of the lab, which include enthusiasm, openness and integrity.

The position offers a competitive salary and enjoys the diverse and highly interactive research environment of the world-renowned Mitochondrial Biology Unit and Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the vibrant Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Key responsibilities:

• Be responsible for the day-to-day running of the laboratory, including ordering supplies and maintaining inventories of reagents and transgenic animals
• Interact closely with the core staff at the MRC MBU and Department of Clinical Neurosciences to ensure smooth running of communal facilities.
• Oversee and provide technical support to the lab, alongside the group leader. Learn and implement novel techniques to pursue the research topics in the lab. Contribute to supervision and training of other lab members.
• Interact closely with other researchers within and outside the lab. Stay up to date with relevant scientific literature and participate actively in development of research questions, experimental design and troubleshooting.

Essential criteria:

• Independent, motivated and highly organized individual, who is passionate about science and keen to support the day-to-day coordination of a small collaborative team of scientists.
• Applicants must have a degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or Cell Biology.
• In-depth experience in laboratory data management, molecular biology and cell biology. Ability to learn and assimilate new techniques, and to train other researchers.
• Demonstrate core values of enthusiasm, openness and integrity. Be willing to change practices in order to promote sustainability.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience with Drosophila husbandry, knowledge of Drosophila genetics and understanding of the utility of model organisms to study human disease.
• Knowledge and ability to perform microdissections, tissue preparation and immunostaining. Experience with light, fluorescent and confocal microscopy
• Experience with molecular cloning techniques and next-generation sequencing library preparation.
• Experience with outreach and public engagement.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Closing Date: 2nd July 2020.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Please quote reference ZE23201 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Psychoneuroxy