Research Assistant

This position offers the opportunity to join a multidisciplinary research group led by Dr Emma Allott, based in the Johnston Cancer Research Centre at Queen’s University Belfast. The Allott research group integrates molecular and epidemiology approaches to identify risk factors for fatal prostate cancer, as well as studying the potential contributing mechanisms. This position is part of a Cancer Research UK funded project entitled ‘Repurposing statins for precision prevention of PTEN-null prostate cancer’.

The project seeks to understand molecular mechanisms contributing to the epidemiological association between statins and lower risk of fatal and PTEN-null prostate cancer. This position will involve culture of premalignant and malignant prostate cell lines, modified to reflect common genetic alterations found in the human population. Following treatment of these cell lines with statins and/or inducers/inhibitors of the unfolded protein response, functional assays to evaluate the effects will be performed, including proliferation, clonogenics, apoptosis, reporter, and imaging assays. In parallel, this position will involve RNA extraction from these statin treated cell lines for RNA sequencing, followed by curation and analysis of these data.

The successful individual will be supported by members of the Allott research group, and join a collaborative environment within the Prostate Cancer Centre of Excellence (ProEx), comprising clinicians and researchers across disciplines.

This is a full time post, however part time working options will be considered – to a minimum of 20 hours per week.

About the person:

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Degree or equivalent in subject relevant to research activity, including biomedical science, biotechnology or related subject area.
• Specific, relevant laboratory experience in molecular prostate cancer biology, including experience with cell culture, molecular biology techniques (including PCR, Western blot, flow cytometry), simple statistics and data visualisation techniques.
• Experience with RNA extraction from prostate cancer cell lines and human prostate tissues, and in data curation and management of resulting RNA sequencing data, including differential gene expression analysis.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.

Advert information