Overview
Research Assistant – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
About us:
The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative supporting research to fill the major knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause dementia.
We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of 700 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, driving a change in our understanding of neurodegeneration and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat and ultimately prevent dementia. Our laboratory-based research groups are located at King’s College London, University College London, the University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, Edinburgh University, and Imperial College London.
Dementia is a major health challenge of our century – currently affecting fifty million people worldwide, projected to triple by 2050, with huge financial, emotional and social impact on people directly affected, their carers, families and the community. Dementia is a symptom of several neurodegenerative disorders, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for about 60% of cases. To date, there is no way to prevent or even slow the rate of progression of neurodegeneration.
About the role:
The team of Prof. Jernej Ule is seeking a Laboratory Technician to join a team of researchers working on the roles of ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNP) and their defects in neurodegenerative disorders.
The post holder will focus on biochemistry and molecular biology techniques, in particular transcriptomic studies of RNA regulation and protein-RNA interactions, maintenance and characterisation of human cell lines, preparation of cell extracts, RNA extraction and general biochemistry such as western blots, thus contributing to relevant publications in collaboration with other team members.
The post is based at the Ule Regulatory RNA Networks lab at UKDRI Centre at King’s. The lab consists of 8 researchers including PhD students and postdoctoral fellows. For more information, please see the laboratory website.
This is a full time (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 30/09/2027
Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.
About you:
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
- MSc in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Neurobiology, Cell Biology or a related discipline
- Experience in molecular and cellular biology
- Experience with transcriptomic studies of gene expression
- Experience in experimental design and bench work
- IT proficiency (Spreadsheet, Word Processing, Database, Email, Web based applications)
- Excellent communication and organizational skills, with a meticulous and accurate approach to work.
- Strong problem-solving abilities
- Excellent inter-personal skills with an ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting
Desirable criteria
- Experience with bioinformatics
- Experience in studies of protein-RNA complexes
- Experience in immunostaining
- Experience with differentiating iPS cells into neurons
- Interest in and a commitment to supporting high quality research
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
