Chief Research Laboratory Technician (Fixed Term)

The Halim lab is recruiting a highly talented and motivated scientist to join a vibrant and collaborative tissue immunology group within the University of Cambridge, CRUK Cambridge Institute. We are interested in understanding the role of innate lymphoid cells in regulating the immune response in tissue-homeostasis, inflammatory diseases and cancer. We focus on the ability of ILC to regulate both innate and adaptive immunity (Halim TYF et al. Immunity 2018, Schuijs MJ et al. Nature Immunology 2020, Stockis J et al. Immunology 2019). Our long-term goal is to reveal novel fundamental immunological mechanisms related to ILC biology and immune regulation, and therapeutically modulate these in cancer and chronic inflammation.

As a research laboratory technician in the group, you will be required to efficiently multi-task, providing technical support for exciting ongoing projects in the lab, and manage day-to-day operations. You will join a collaborative and highly motivated team of researchers in a top ranked university and research institute. Our group is further supported by world-leading core facilities (https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/core-facilities) which researchers are encouraged to utilize to their fullest potential.

Desired Technical skills:

Assist with mouse experimental procedures (existing UK PIL and/or surgical skills highly valued), tissue processing, isolation, and phenotyping.

Cell culture, standard molecular biological techniques (i.e. cloning, viral vector production, assays), basic IF microscopy.

A background in flow cytometry will be highly valued.

Desired Organizational skills:

Mouse colony management (breeding and maintaining complex genetic strain, maintaining cage numbers, submitting samples for genotyping service and updating the online database, end-of-year reporting).

Help with laboratory purchasing and negotiating prices with vendors.

Help with maintaining up-to-date laboratory inventory databases.

Support and train junior members in basic laboratory skills and instill rigorous record-keeping habits.

Strong interpersonal skills are also essential; you will become a central person in a highly collaborative, friendly, and dynamic lab. We also work closely with other labs in our Institute, surrounding departments, and hospitals; you will often work with external and internal collaborators, and/or provide direct technical supervision for new lab members.

Moreover, you must have excellent communication and organizational skills, and be able to work both independently or collaboratively as part of a team. You will be given the opportunity to develop/learn new skills, including attending training courses, to help with career progression.

The successful candidate must have (or be about to receive) a MSc or equivalent in laboratory experience and will be appointed as a grade 5 (£29,605 - £33,966 dependent on experience).

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4 years with the possibility for future contract extension. 

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the apply button above.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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