Research Technician - UOD2122

Role purpose

We are recruiting for a driven individual to join us as Research Technician within the laboratory of Virginia De Cesare to provide technical expertise and support for our research programme on ubiquitin biology. This role will be central to the laboratory research mission, ensuring that high-quality reagents are delivered to support ongoing research projects, and enabling the team to achieve its scientific objectives.

Location

The post holder will be based within the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences.

Principal duties

The Research Technician will work closely with postdoctoral researchers and students, contributing to experimental design, optimisation, and troubleshooting, and helping to maintain a productive, collaborative, and well-organised laboratory environment.

By supporting protein expression and purification in both bacterial and insect cell systems and assisting with molecular and biochemical assays, the post-holder will play a critical role in enabling high-quality data generation for ongoing projects.

Priorities will include:

• Protein expression and purification using bacterial and insect cell systems (ubiquitin enzymes – ubiquitin chains etc).
• Maintaining cell cultures and supporting cell biology projects.
• Supporting experimental workflows for molecular biology, protein biochemistry, and proteomic projects.
• Ensuring compliance with laboratory safety standards.
• Contributing to the preparation of research for publication.

The post holder will:

The successful candidate will have hands-on experience in bacterial and insect cell protein expression and purification, molecular biology and protein biochemistry. They will have a solid understanding of sterile techniques, cell culture, and general laboratory practices, and be able to contribute to experimental design and optimisation under supervision. The post holder should be highly organised, detail-oriented, and able to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative research team. They will have a proactive and enthusiastic approach to problem-solving, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of laboratory practice and data integrity.

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (BSc), MSc or additional relevant training in a relevant life sciences discipline, such as Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Signalling, or a closely related field.
• Have a strong interest in ubiquitylation and its role in human health and disease.
• Possess a solid foundation in protein biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, and/or mass spectrometry.
• Be able to work independently and collaboratively, with an open and team-oriented approach to scientific research.
• Have excellent communication skills and knowledge of the English language are essential.

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