Research Associate

Location: Hammersmith Campus (East Acton)

About the role:

We are looking for a talented Research Associate to join us working on an exciting project funded by the British Heart Foundation. The societal burden of cardiovascular disease is enormous. Approximately 35% of all deaths are associated with thrombotic disorders – primarily heart attack, stroke and venous thrombosis. To protect against this, patients at risk of thrombosis are frequently given anticoagulant drugs. Although efficacious, these are associated with an appreciably increased risk of severe, life-threatening bleeding. We have developed a novel patented agent – a recombinant chimeric fusion protein – with very potent anticoagulant properties, that has the potential to protect against thrombosis, but be associated with reduced likelihood of bleeding. We combine the world-leading expertise within our academic Centres for Inflammatory Disease and Haematology with the translational expertise of our multidisciplinary Clinical Centres.

You will be working on research in the field of haemostasis. Haemostasis is a complex biochemical and cellular process that generates a clot to control bleeding. If there is excessive clotting, patients can develop life threatening thrombosis. All available anticoagulant drugs to protect against thrombosis increase bleeding risk. There is a major unmet need to improve anticoagulant treatments so that they are safer and more efficacious. You will be working on research in the Crawley lab to address this through testing and refinement of a patented agent developed in his lab.

You will be based in the Centre for Haematology, Department of Immunology and Inflammation at Imperial College London’s Hammersmith Campus.

What you would be doing:

The successful candidate will join the Imperial College Haemostasis Lab. The project involves the expression and characterisation of recombinant proteins and antibodies. These agents will be tested in vivo using murine models for their ability function therapeutically. Delivery of the anticoagulant as RNA will also be optimised using lipid nanoparticles to assess expression levels, duration and therapeutic efficacy. Protein engineering will also be performed to develop a high affinity and specific reversal agent in the event of unwanted bleeding.

As part of your development, you will have the ability to attend relevant workshops, local research seminars and lab meetings, and will develop contacts within the College, both internal and external collaborators and the wider community.

What we are looking for:

• You should hold a PhD (or equivalent) in a biological discipline, experience linked to cardiovascular disease/haemostasis/thrombosis would be advantageous.
• You should have experience working in a research environment, and have skills with cell culture, recombinant protein production and preferably in vivo studies.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to develop the CV and research career beyond this postdoctoral position
• The opportunity develops collaboration with national and international academics to widen the scope of future academic potentials
• The opportunity to link laboratory basic science with translational clinical science and patients
• The opportunity to attend national and international scientific meetings to presents and learn from others and develop wider research network
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 38 days off a year)

This is a full-time, fixed-term post until 31 May 2030 (likely to be extended to a 4-year post).

If you require any further details on the role please contact:

Professor Jim Crawley (j.crawley@imperial.ac.uk).

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