Research Assistant in EXPERTS-ALS Trial

The Oxford Motor Neuron Disease (MND, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS) Centre requires an enthusiastic and highly organised Research Assistant for the opportunity to develop their expertise in being part of a laboratory delivering assay results to underpin a multicentre drug screening programme in ALS.

 

 

Specifically, the post holder will be responsible for supporting all aspects of the Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) laboratory set up for the measurement of trial participant blood samples that serve as an outcome measure in the pioneering ‘EXPErimental Route To Success in ALS’ (EXPERTS-ALS, www.experts-als.uk).

 

A major rate-limiting step in therapeutic advancement for ALS is the capacity to deliver Phase 3 randomised controlled trials at pace for a growing pool of drugs. Through multiple cohort studies, blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) level has been established as an objective correlate of the individual rate of disability progression in ALS.

 

EXPERTS-ALS is a randomised, open-label, multi-arm study that will prioritise groups of candidate drugs by their ability to lower NfL levels in relatively small groups of ALS patients over up to 6 months per drug. It involves 11 MND centres around the UK. The Sheffield CTRU has general trial management oversight. A separate ground-breaking experimental medicine programme will enable the analysis of samples generated from participants for the development of novel biomarkers.

 

The EXPERTS-ALS platform hinges on the robust and high-throughput NfL measurement using the SIMOA HDX instrument (Quanterix) which is run by a post-doctoral scientist, a research assistant and this post-holder. The analysis of human samples collected as part of this clinical trial must comply with the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 and will provide the primary endpoint data that will dictate the outcome of each clinical trial arm. The post holder will work alongside the Post-doctoral Scientist, Research Assistant, Clinical Research Project Manager, with oversight from an independent Quality Assurance Consultant and a Senior Clinical Project Manager to ensure that the data generated is documented and reported in compliance with GCLP and the applicable regulatory requirements.

 

The post offers the opportunity to become proficient in biofluid sample processing, analytical techniques such as ELISA, experience of working within a Quality Management System of a GCLP laboratory and to gain experience in neurodegeneration research as it relates to MND. As such the post would be suitable for a bioscience graduate who is considering going on to study for a doctorate in neuroscience.

 

The post-holder will join a wider vibrant team of more than 30 people in the Oxford MND Centre who are involved in a range of basic science and patient-based research, plus those involved in the clinical care of those living with MND. It is an opportunity to be closely involved in driving one of the most significant global advances in drug screening in MND and biofluid biomarker development more widely.

 

 

 

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