Research Assistant

Weekly Working Hours: 18.5

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 6 months from start date

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

Job Description: 

About the Role

This Research Assistant role contributes support to research in the area of epigenetic liquid biopsy discovery, in the School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences.

The Research Assistant will contribute to work aimed at developing a new technology for precision cancer therapy.

Flexible working:

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you. Please note that this role is based on site at our Milton Keynes campus.

Salary:

The salary quoted above is based on a 37 hour week (full-time hours). This post is 18.5 hours so will be paid at half the full-time rate above.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform experiments with cancer cell culture, which include pharmacological treatments, western blots and chromatin immunoprecipitation.
• Make sure all the reagents needed for experiments are available, and complete relevant orders when needed.
• Write research reports and contribute to publications as appropriate.
• Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas based on outcomes (as appropriate for the role).
• Possess sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within own area.
• Adhere to safe working practices and applicable Health and Safety legislation.
• Continue to update knowledge and develop skills.
• Make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration.
• Contribute to the research environment of the School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences.
• Commitment to principles of Equality and Diversity and Research Integrity.

Skills and Experience

Essential Requirements

• MSc or working towards an MSc in Pharmacology, Cancer biology or related field (or higher degree).
• Evidence of experience with basic molecular biology techniques (e.g. use of DNA/RNA extraction kits, reverse transcription).
• Evidence of experience with cancer cell culture.
• Evidence of experience in chromatin immunoprecipitation.
• Ability to work in teams.
• Good communication skills.
• Good theoretical knowledge of cancer biology.
• Good theoretical knowledge of epigenetics.
• Good theoretical knowledge of liquid biopsies.
• Good data interpretation skills.

Desirable:

• Evidence of experience with statistical analysis tools for lab research.
• Evidence of experience in pharmacological treatments and/or western blots.
• Evidence of experience with flow cytometry.
• Good knowledge of bioinformatics.

To apply for this role please submit the following as one document;

• CV 
• A personal statement of up to 1000 words. You should set out in your statement why you are interested in the role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job description.

Please Note: We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.