Research Assistant

Job title:

Research Assistant

Company

Cardiff University

Job description

School / DirectorateSchool of MedicineAdvertResearch Assistant
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life SciencesThe UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is a joint £290 million investment from the Medical Research Council (MRC), Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Centred on the need for innovative, early-stage science to advance our understanding of how dementias develop and progress, the UK DRI’s research will bring new therapies to patients faster. The Institute’s mission is to find new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent dementias, whilst finding better ways to provide care for people with dementia.Prof Vincent Dion’s group develops novel approaches to treat expanded repeat disorders, a group of over 40 diseases that all remain without a cure. His laboratory is pioneering gene editing approaches to treat this family of disorders. To assess the potential use of CRISPR-Cas9 nickase to contract short-tandem repeats, we are looking to hire a Research Assistant. The ideal person will have experience with packaging biosafety level 2 non-replicating retroviral vectors and using them in cultured mammalian cells. The work includes the use of induced-pluripotent stem cells. This is an exciting opportunity to carry a project independently and drive it to its fruitful completion within a dynamic and motivated team.For informal enquiries please contact Prof Vincent Dion (DionV@cardiff.ac.uk)This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1st January 2025 and fixed term until 30th September 2025, based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus.Salary: £33,232 – £35,880 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.How 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 schemeDate advert posted: Wednesday, 11 December 2024Closing date: Thursday, 2 January 2025Cardiff 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.Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.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:Post Reference Number19291BRJob DescriptionJob Purpose
To contribute to assessing the ability of the CRISPR-Cas9 nickase to contract short tandem repeats, 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 ResponsibilitiesKey Duties

• To undertake research, e.g. by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments.
• To participate actively within 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 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.

Other

• 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.35,880GradeGrade 5Salary Range Min.33,232Job CategoryAcademic – Research, Health, 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, 19291BRCareer PathwayResearchPerson SpecificationEssential CriteriaQualifications and Education
1. A degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience.
2. Wet lab work experience, specifically with:– packaging biosafety level 2 non-replicating retroviral vectors and using them in cultured mammalian cells.
– work with induced-pluripotent stem cells. 3. Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately.
4. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.Communication and Team Working
5. Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences.
6. Excellent organisational and team-working skills.Other
7. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work.Desirable Criteria1. Proven ability to work without close supervision.
2. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.

Expected salary

£33232 – 35880 per year

Location

United Kingdom

Job date

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:38:47 GMT

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