Research Assistant MRC IAA at Swansea University

We are currently recruiting a full-time research assistant to work on an exciting new project developing novel drugs that target metabolic flexibility and therapy resistance in cancer. The project is led by Dr James Cronin and Dr Salvatore Ferla (Swansea University Medical School) and is funded by the Medical Research Council Impact Acceleration Account. This is a fixed term position, funded until 30^th April 2024. The post will be hosted in the Medical School in Dr Cronin’s lab on the 4th floor of the Institute of Life Science and in Dr Ferla’s group in Pharmacy, which focuses on in silico designed anticancer treatments.

Metabolic reprogramming, now an established hallmark of cancer, has historically, focussed on the contribution of glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle pathway activities to support tumorigenesis. However, more recently the contribution of amino acids as energy sources and in the maintenance of cancer cell redox balance has come to the fore. Cancer cells rewire metabolic pathways to meet the high energy demands of tumour development, whilst producing the macromolecules required for cell proliferation and survival. We aim to develop novel drugs, that overcome these processes, to overcome therapy resistance and kill cancer cells.

Across the Institute of Life Sciences, you will find modern research laboratories equipped with the latest instrumentation for biomolecular analysis, such as confocal microscopy, high content imaging, flow cytometry suite, mass spectrometry, a DNA sequencing facility and bioinformatics capabilities. 

Main duties:

1. Pro-actively contribute to and conduct research, including to gather, prepare and analyse data, to generate original ideas and present results.
2. Prepare reports, draft papers describing the results of the research, both confidential and for publication.
3. Be self-motivated, apply and use their initiative, aiming to determine suitable ways to tackle challenges and seeking guidance when needed
4. Interact positively and professionally with other collaborators and partners within the Faculty and elsewhere in the University and beyond such as in industry/commerce, hospitals and academia.
5. Keep informed of developments in the field in technical, specific, and general terms and their wider implication for the discipline area, commercial applications and the knowledge economy.

To ensure that risk management is an integral part of any decision-making process, by ensuring compliance with the University’s Risk Management Policy.

Essential criteria:

1. experience in 2D and 3D tissue culture and working with a hypoxic chamber;
2. confocal microscopy;
3. multi-colour flow cytometry;
4. Seahorse Xf Bioanalyzer;
5. immunohistochemistry and use of microtomes;
6. primary cell isolation from blood;
7. Immunoblotting and ELISAs.

To apply for the post please click on the link: Research Assistant MRC IAA (swansea.ac.uk)