Research Associate

Location: South Kensington Campus 

Job Summary 

We are pleased to announce the opening of the above post, following our recent UKRI award which is part of a £14.2m Engineered Genetic Control Systems for Advanced Therapeutics Mission Hub, led by the University of Edinburgh. As part of this award, we are looking for a candidate to help us to build and test DNA constructs for AAV gene therapy targets identified in the project. The technology is based on our previous published work in gene regulation therapies, but with new targets (PMID: 23054839, 27600816, 37138658). 

Applications are therefore invited for a Research Associate to join the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London. You will work closely with members of Professor Mark Isalan’s Group (https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/m.isalan). You will be based in Sir Alexander Fleming Building (SAF), South Kensington Campus. 

Candidates should be able to start work on 13th May 2024, or as soon as possible after.

Specifically, we are looking for someone experienced in molecular biology (e.g. DNA design, cloning, qPCRs, RNAseq and Westerns) and mammalian cell culture (including transfection, FACs, microscopy and occasionally some tissue dissection). Experience in AAV delivery in vivo would be welcome but is not essential. 

Duties and responsibilities 

In this role you will be expected to perform experiments to a high standard.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Design DNA for gene synthesis
• Perform molecular biology techniques including design and molecular cloning of multi-gene cassettes, mutagenesis, PCR and DNA sequencing
• Optimise synthetic genetic constructs
• Test constructs in mammalian cell culture
• Develop assays to monitor outputs (e.g. microscopy, FACs, tissue dissection, qPCR, RNAseq, Westerns)
• Carry out a range of defined tests and analysis and present data for interpretation by others
• Ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times
• Present findings to colleagues and at conferences
• Write up the finding for submission to refereed journals
• Take responsibility for organising resources and effective decision making in support of research
• Direct the work of small research teams including undergraduate and postgraduate students

Essential requirements

• Hold, or near completion of, a PhD degree (or equivalent) in Biological Sciences or a related field
• Molecular biology skills (DNA design, cloning, qPCRs, RNAseq and Westerns)
• Cell biology skills (transfection, FACs, microscopy and occasionally some tissue dissection and analysis)
• In vivo gene delivery experience not essential, but desirable
• Willingness to engage deeply with genetic design for gene therapy
• A creative approach to problem-solving
• The ability to organise your own work with minimal supervision and prioritise in response to deadlines
• The ability to supervise others (e.g. Masters and Undergraduate students)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Practical experience within a research environment and publication in relevant and refereed journals.

Further Information

This is a full time, fixed-term position until 12 May 2027. You will be based at South Kensington Campus.

Candidates should be able to start work on 13 May 2024, or as soon as possible after.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded a PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

Apply online via the above ‘Apply’ button and complete an online application.

For enquires about the position, please contact Professor Mark Isalan by email: m.isalan@imperial.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 31/03/2024

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