Research Assistant (Fixed Term)

We seek to recruit a highly enthusiastic and motivated full-time Research Assistant to work with Dr.Lay Ping Ong (https://www.cardiovascular.cam.ac.uk/staff/dr-lay-ping-ong) on a jointly funded MRC/Astra Zeneca project, hosted by Dr Catherine Wilson, Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge (https://www.phar.cam.ac.uk/research/Wilson). The goal is to develop novel therapeutics (e.g. stem cells-based, RNA therapeutics) to accelerate cardiac regeneration and treat heart failure.

After a heart attack, there is irreversible loss of cardiac tissue with ensuing heart failure. To recover the heart function, we aim to replace the lost cardiomyocytes via stem cells-based approaches using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)-derived cardiomyocytes i.e. primary remuscularization. Invoking key developmental events, we improved cardiac function by co-delivery of a key stromal cell type, hESCs-derived epicardium. However, significant barriers to integration with the failing host heart remain. The Wilson lab pioneered the use of a novel RNA therapeutic - modRNA (Myc and Cyclin T1) to coax cardiomyocyte proliferation and recover cardiac function in the infarcted adult mouse heart. The MRC/Astra Zeneca project aims to identify the key barriers to cardiomyocyte integration in ischaemic heart failure and develop novel therapeutics (e.g. stem cells-based, RNA therapeutics) to accelerate cardiac regeneration. The novel therapeutics will be tested using in vitro engineered heart tissues. We now seek a research technician to assist these studies.

The Research Assistant position will provide scientific and research support to Dr.Ong within the Wilson Lab. You will support experimental work across the lab and can develop your skills in several areas including stem cell culture, molecular biology, bioengineering, histology, microscopy, transcriptomics, and laboratory management.

As the work is highly collaborative in nature (Professor Sanjay Sinha at Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Professor Charles E Murry at University of Washington, USA, and Astra Zeneca), there will opportunities to visit other research sites for knowledge exchange.

The successful candidate should have at least a BSc in the biological, bioengineering, or biomedical sciences and must have some experience of stem cell research.  Experience of molecular biology and bioengineering, and MSc in Biological Sciences are desirable. Candidates are expected to be excellent communicators, collaborative, attention to detail, be organised and able to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.

This appointment is subject to a security check. Whether an outcome is satisfactory will be determined by the University.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance.

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

Informal enquiries about the project and the role can be made to Dr Lay Ping Ong (lpo20@cam.ac.uk). Queries regarding the recruitment process itself should be directed to the HR team (hr@phar.cam.ac.uk).

All applicants must apply directly via the web recruitment portal; no agency applicants will be accepted.

Please quote reference PL40959 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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