Research Assistant at The University of Edinburgh

Full-time (35 hours per week)

Fixed-term (11 months)

We are looking for a candidate to plan and execute a programme of research activity using our novel fluorescent diagnostic platform in biosamples of various inflammatory diseases (e.g. Inflammatory bowel disease and Organ transplant rejection) in order to improve precision medicine for patients. The candidate must have a strong background in biomedicine and inflammation research and demonstrate their experience working with fluorescent compounds and performing assay development. The candidate must show initiative to ensure that the research is conducted in accordance with the programme timetable, including both short to medium term experimental planning and longer-term planning, and be able to deliver and facilitate effective analysis and dissemination of research findings. With reference to evaluating our new fluorescent technology the post holder will need to plan and organise their experiments with other members of the research team to ensure availability of materials and equipment.

The opportunity:

The chemistry area based within the Centre for Inflammation Research in the newly formed Institute for Regeneration and Repair, which is host to a custom designed chemistry suite for 50 people and accommodates over 1000 staff and students. Embedded adjacent to the Centres for Inflammation Research, Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, the chemistry area will be a hub for collaborative non-silo’d research with a core of chemistry investigators, working closely and collaboratively with academics from a variety of disciplines.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• MSc (or about to submit MSc thesis) in Biomedicine, Regenerative medicine or similar with a strong emphasis on inflammation research
• Practical skills in optical characterisation, particularly in vitro plate reader assays and fluorescence microscopy.
• A keen interest in translational research 
• Experience using fluorescent small molecules  
• Experience in cell culture. 
• Experience in cell characterization using fluorescence imaging.
• Proficient in the use of data processing and quantification software for imaging including Graphpad and Fiji.
• Excellent written skills, with experience in preparing manuscripts for publication in high impact peer-reviewed journals.