Research Assistant – Biology NATA 2235 London, England
Job description
Research Assistant – Biology NATA
MRC Band 5 £27,600 - £29,325 (plus inner London weighting £5128.85)
Full-time, Fixed term 23 months
London
The closing date for applications is 30 Aug 2023
About us
The Medical Research Council (MRC), as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has invested £30m over 4 years through the Strategic Priorities Fund to establish a Nucleic Acid Therapy Accelerator (NATA) that will support state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research to solve critical issues in nucleic acid drug development, through focused NATA research challenges and a NATA infrastructure hub.
NATA (https://www.natahub.org/) focuses on building internal chemistry, biology and operational capabilities while catalysing collaborative R&D activity to tackle significant barriers facing oligonucleotide therapy manufacturing and delivery. This investment will support capacity building in terms of equipment, upskilling and domain expertise that will be essential in developing critical mass to catalyse and de-risk the development of next-generation nucleic acid therapeutics.
About the Role
Are you a passionate Research Assistant looking to make a difference in the world of rare neurodegenerative disorders? We have the perfect opportunity for you!
Join NATA and University College London (UCL) in their groundbreaking collaboration as part of the UK Platform for Nucleic Acid Therapeutics for Rare Disease (UpNAT), one of the newly funded MRC Rare Disease Research Platform Nodes as a Research Assisant. Be at the forefront of the charge to develop personalized antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies for paediatric rare neurodegenerative disorders.
You will play a vital role in designing and evaluating ASOs using cellular models like skin fibroblasts or iPSCs-derived neurons. You'll tap into your strong expertise in nucleic acid drug development, cell and molecular biology to optimize analytical methodologies and assess RNA and protein functional levels.
Key Responsibilities include:
· Undertake laboratory experiments as required by the project. Carry out target validation and efficacy assessment (using both mRNA/protein quantification methods) and analyse/report data (verbal and written report)
· Update the NATA and UCL co-supervisors in a timely manner on results and provide regular research updates.
· Prepare data for publication, dissemination of research and for presentations at internal meetings at NATA, UCL and external meetings with collaborators.
· Take a proactive approach to learning and implementing new techniques and approaches
About You
You will have:
· A relevant degree in Biology or related field
· Experience of working in a laboratory, preferably translational and related to Nucleic Acid Therapeutics
· Expertise in tissue culture including culture of cells with different characteristics, primary cells, cell lines and genetically engineered cell lines
· Experience in cell-based screening assays such as ELISA, luciferase, fluorescence and Western blotting
For the full job description, please visit our site.
Benefits:
Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits, from a defined-benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement, to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the work of a world-class medical research organisation.
How to Apply:
For full details and to apply, click apply. to submit an application. Your cover letter should clearly outline how you fulfil the criteria listed in the personal specification and your motivation for applying for this role.
Please quote NATA 2235.
Job Types: Contract, Full-time
Salary: £27,600.00-£29,325.00 per year
Work Location: In person
