Research Technician LMS 2244 London, England
Job description
The LMS is an Institute funded by the MRC and is a Division of the Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College. Based on the Hammersmith Hospital Campus in West London (W12), the LMS has first class facilities and provides investigators from clinical and basic science backgrounds with the opportunity to pursue innovative, multidisciplinary research within the established clinical base of Imperial College.
For more information, visit www.lms.mrc.ac.uk.
Overall purpose:
The Single Molecule Imaging group at the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences studies the molecular mechanisms that regulate epigenetic processes involved in human diseases. Single molecule techniques such as smFRET and optical tweezers are used to validate and interrogate bulk biochemical and structural biology findings. The post holder will do various levels of molecular biology and cloning and protein purification of various proteins to support ongoing work within the lab. The post holder should be familiar with activities such as cell culture and protein handling through various purification pathways. Additional responsibilities will include culture maintenance, reagent preparation and re-stocking. While the primary role of the post holder is to support ongoing work within the lab. The post would be suitable for somebody with prior experience in protein purification who is keen to broaden their expertise in a single molecule lab and help address questions relating to protein structure and function, perhaps with a view to gathering more practical skills to enable future PhD applications.
Main duties / key responsibilities:
- Plan and carry out research in accordance with the project aims
- Ensure the availability of materials necessary for the project including monitoring consumables stocks and ordering where necessary
- Ensure logs of all lab activity is held to a high standard
- Attend project and related research group meetings
- Interact and collaborate with group members
- Form good working relationships with other members of the group
Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from application form):
Essential:
- BSc (or equivalent) in biochemistry, biophysics, microbiology, genetics or similar
Desirable:
- MSc (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline
Previous work experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview):
Essential:
- Experience working in a scientific laboratory
Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from application form and at interview):
Essential:
- Expertise in good scientific practice including record keeping and reporting
- Good written communication skills in English
- Experience with protein purification
Desirable:
- Experience working with cloning, molecular and microbiology biology
Personal skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at the interview):
Essential:
- Motivation
- Good verbal communication skills in English
- Independence in finding solutions to technical challenges
- Diligence
- Ability to work in a collaborative research environment
- Willingness to give and receive help with challenging problems
- Good interpersonal skills
- Willingness to share knowledge and transfer skills to other members of the group on a daily basis
Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of 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 salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
