Research Assistant/Fellow – 15372 at Brunel University London

Location: Brunel University London, Uxbridge Campus

Research Assistant Salary: £35,490 to £37,488 inclusive of London Weighting with potential to progress to £38,532 per annum inclusive of London Weighting.

Research Fellow Salary: £39,607 to £43,029 inclusive of London Weighting with potential to progress to £46,771 per annum inclusive of London Weighting.

Contract Type: Fixed-term (24 Months)

Brunel University London was established in 1966 and is a leading multidisciplinary research-intensive technology university delivering economic, social and cultural benefits.

For more information please visit: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/our-history/home.

Description of College/Department: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/chmls/life-sciences.

We seek to recruit a talented research associate to investigate novel therapeutic targets in infant Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. The post is externally funded by the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) – Little Princess Trust. Funds are available until 30/09/2025 in the first instance.

The successful candidate will combine 2 and 3D cell culture systems, drug screening and next-generation sequencing with investigation of patient samples, to identify and characterise targetable pathways in forms of infant leukaemia driven by the MNX1 oncogene (https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.10.07.51136; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41389-022-00426-2). The post-holder will integrate the Pina Lab, and work under the joint scientific mentorship of Dr Cristina Pina (https://www.brunel.ac.uk/people/cristina-pina) and Dr Sabrina Tosi (https://www.brunel.ac.uk/people/sabrina-tosi).

The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant area, including but not restricted to Clinical Medicine, Biosciences, Pharmacology, Cancer Biology or Genetics, or they will have submitted and defended their PhD thesis in the last 6 months. Applicants with experience in pluripotent stem cell or primary cancer cell culture, and/or organoid systems are particularly encouraged to apply. Experience in next-generation sequencing analysis is desirable.

The successful candidate will be expected to work independently under mentorship, and will have the opportunity to contribute to project steering and/or initiate complementary research avenues, particularly through contribution to the supervision of MSc / MPhil and PhD students. They will keep accurate and complete physical and electronic records of their research activity, and be prepared to contribute to reports and presentations of project progress at short notice. They will contribute to general lab maintenance activities in line with good scientific citizenship. They will have experience in manuscript writing and be keen communicators to scientific and non-scientific audiences, including engagement with patient groups.

There will be opportunities for career development, internal seminar presentations and conference attendance. The role holder will be encouraged to engage in peer-led initiatives for Junior Researchers. They will also be encouraged to join external mentorship schemes.

Brunel University London offer a generous annual leave package plus discretionary University closure days, excellent training and development opportunities as well as a great occupational pension scheme and a range of health-related support. Where and when appropriate for the role, the University is committed to a hybrid working approach.

Closing date for applications: 27 August 2023 [23:59 hours].

Interviews will take place week commencing 29 August or 4 September 2023, in person.

For further details about the post including the Job Description and Person Specification, and to apply, please click the ‘Apply’ button.

If you have any technical issues please contact us at: hrsystems@brunel.ac.uk.

Brunel University London is fully committed to creating and sustaining a fully inclusive workforce culture. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities, we particularly welcome applicants who are currently under- represented in our workforce.