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Research Assistant
Dementia Research Institute
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
Cardiff University School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

The 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 CAG/CTG repeat disorders, including Huntington’s disease. His laboratory is pioneering a gene editing approach using the CRISPR-Cas9 nickase. To assist in furthering this project and support therapeutic developments and test adeno-associated constructs for delivery, we are looking to hire a Research Assistant. The ideal person will have experience with biosafety level 2 viral vectors for transducing cultured mammalian cells. This is an exciting opportunity to carry a project independently and drive it to its fruitful completion within a dynamic and motivated team.

This post is full time (35 hours per week), available from 15th May 2023 and is fixed term until 14th April 2024.

You will be based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff.

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Vincent Dion ([email protected]).

Salary: £29,762 - £34,314 per annum (Grade 5). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

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.

Date advert posted: Friday, 28 April 2023

Closing Date: Sunday, 14 May 2023

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: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Main function

To contribute research to the development of adeno-associated viral vectors for the treatment of Huntington Disease, 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.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To undertake research, eg 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.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1. A degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. Experience in working with biosafety level 2 viral vectors for transducing cultured mammalian 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 Criteria

1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant experience.

2. Hold a Procedure Individual Licence (PIL) for in vivo work.

3. Evidence of collaborations with industry.

4. Proven ability to work without close supervision.

5. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.

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’ below), 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:

• Regular one-to-ones with your manager
• An experienced and supportive team around you
• Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require.
• A mentoring scheme

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

It is School of Medicine's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. 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 your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 16506BR

If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

29,762

34,314

Academic - Research, Health, Medical & Dental

Grade 5