Research Assistant in Women & Children’s Health – INTERNAL ONLY

Job id: 086406. Salary: £37,332 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance (pro-rated to £7,466 for 0.2FTE).

Posted: 15 March 2024. Closing date: 20 March 2024.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Department of Women & Children’s Health.

Contact details:Panicos Shangaris. [email protected]

Location: Guy’s Campus. Category: Research.

Job description

The Department of Women and Children’s Health is excited to offer a part time position for a Research Assistant, focused on pioneering prenatal therapy for Sickle Cell Disease. This role is critical in supporting our ongoing research aimed at developing innovative gene-editing therapies and stem cell treatments during the prenatal stage. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic team, applying cutting-edge molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics tools to advance our understanding and treatment strategies for genetic disorders. This position offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of developing innovative therapies for a devastating genetic disease, contributing to both scientific advancement and ethical discourse in prenatal treatments.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract until 01/06/2025.

This is a part-time post – 20% full time equivalent.

Key Responsibilities

• Research Execution: Utilise molecular biology and gene-editing techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas9, for the development of therapeutic approaches
• Data Management: Analyse and interpret research data, contributing to the formulation of new hypotheses and research directions
• Team Collaboration: Engage in collaborative efforts within the research team and with external stakeholders, ensuring effective communication of results and progress
• Project Contribution: Assist in the planning and execution of project activities, adhering to timelines and project milestones
• Experimental Research: Conduct gene editing experiments on human and mouse fetal haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to develop prenatal therapies for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
• Method Development: Innovate and refine delivery methods for gene therapy in a mouse model of SCD, ensuring efficacy and safety
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Analyse experimental data, prepare reports and contribute to scientific papers under the guidance of project leaders
• Ethical and Stakeholder Engagement: Participate in studies assessing the ethical considerations and stakeholders’ views regarding prenatal gene therapy, contributing to comprehensive understanding and responsible research conduct

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline such as Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences or Bioengineering

Experience working in a research laboratory setting conducting genetic, cellular or molecular biology research

Demonstrated ability in applying molecular biology techniques, including but not limited to DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, cloning,and sequencing. Familiarity with CRISPR-Cas9 or similar gene-editing tools is highly valued

Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting research findings, contributing to scientific papers and collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team

Ability to analyse scientific data critically using statistical software for data analysis

Knowledge of bioethics, particularly in the context of genetic research and prenatal therapies, and experience engaging with diverse stakeholders or the public on scientific or ethical issues

Ability to organise, plan and execute research tasks efficiently, managing time effectively to meet project deadlines

Clear understanding of genetic diseases, especially Sickle Cell Disease, and the principles of molecular biology and genetics underlying gene editing and stem cell therapy

Knowledge of haematopoietic stem cell biology, including isolation, culture and manipulation techniques, particularly in the context of fetal stem cells

Familiarity with bioinformatics tools and software for genetic sequence analysis and data interpretation, which supports the development and evaluation of gene-editing strategies

Awareness of the ethical considerations in genetic and prenatal research, including patient consent, confidentiality and the implications of prenatal therapies

Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, actively addressing areas of potential bias

Desirable criteria

Master’s degree in a relevant field, with a thesis project focused on genetics, stem cells or a closely related topic

Contributions to scientific publications or presentations at conferences would be an advantage, indicating active engagement with the scientific community

Knowledge of bioethics, particularly in the context of genetic research and prenatal therapies and experience engaging with diverse stakeholders or the public on scientific or ethical issues

Further information

The School of Life Course & Population Sciences is one of five Schools that make up the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King’s College London. The School unites over 400 experts in women and children’s health, nutritional sciences, population health and the molecular genetics of human disease. Our research links the causes of common health problems to life’s landmark stages, treating life, disease and healthcare as a continuum. We are interdisciplinary by nature and this innovative approach works: 91 per cent of our research submitted to the Subjects Allied to Medicine (Pharmacy, Nutritional Sciences and Women’s Health cluster) for REF was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. We use this expertise to teach the next generation of health professionals and research scientists. Based across King’s Denmark Hill, Guy’s, St Thomas’ and Waterloo campuses, our academic programme of teaching, research and clinical practice is embedded across five Departments.

More information: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/slcps

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.