Research Technician

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

The Role
We offer an excellent opportunity for a technician to join the research team of Dr Daniel Williamson within the Translational and Clinical Research Institute. You will work within the Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre to support an exciting project funded by the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group, LoveOliver and the Grace Kelly Children's Cancer Trust.

You will work both independently and as part of a team to implement techniques to investigate a lethal tumour of early childhood; Malignant Rhabdoid Tumour. Specifically, you will be molecularly profiling samples of frozen tumour, blood and CSF from patients with malignant rhabdoid tumours including those gathered as part of the SIOPe-ATRT-01 clinical trial. You will apply techniques to extract cfDNA from liquid biopsies, performing library prep and sequence capture to measure levels of mutated and methylated sequence which indicate levels of disease. Also, you will extract high-quality bulk RNA and genomic DNA to perform RNA-seq and DNA methylation microarray analysis. You will develop and carry out the specified project in collaboration with other members of the group, to plan for and provide technical support to carry out experiments leading to the discovery of new knowledge. You will have the opportunity to interact with a broad range of researchers within the Newcastle Centre for Cancer and more widely across the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

You will have experience and sound understanding of nucleotide isolation, purification, and quantification and ideally molecular profiling including next generation sequencing analysis and library preparation. You will have experience in handling of clinical samples, and associated sample and data management.

You will be responsible for the maintenance of laboratory stocks of chemicals, media, and other consumable requirements. You will also provide specialist institute support for the use of specified pieces of equipment including maintenance, troubleshooting, designing detailed SOPs and training for staff and students.

The post is full-time, fixed-term until 30 June 2026.

For informal enquiries please contact : Laura Wilson, Research Technical Team Leader (Laura.Wilson5@newcastle.ac.uk).

Qualifications

• BTEC HNC/HND or equivalent in relevant subject or equivalent experience.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant science subject –preferably biomedical (desirable).
• Professional registration with an accredited professional body (including HEA) or working towards this on appointment (Desirable).

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