Research Associate

Advert

Research Associate
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

Prof Vincent Dion’s group develops novel approaches to treat expanded CAG/CTG repeat disorders, including Huntington’s disease and myotonic dystrophy. His lab is developing gene editing approaches to contract the disease causing sequences using the Cas9 nickase. To help move this exciting project forward, we are looking to hire a Research Associate able to engineer the Cas9 enzyme to make it more efficient using molecular dynamics. The person should also be able to test the effectiveness of gene editing in mammalian cells and to have expertise in measuring repeat size distribution using long read sequencing and/or other assays. This role includes in vivo work and thus candidates would ideally have a PIL from the Home Office.

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is a joint £290 million investment from the Medical Research Council (MRC), Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Centred on the need for innovative, early-stage science to advance our understanding of how dementias develop and progress, the UK DRI’s research will bring new therapies to patients faster. The Institute’s mission is to find new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent dementias, whilst finding better ways to provide care for people with dementia.

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Vincent Dion on [email protected]

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1st July 2024 and fixed term until 31st December 2024 and is based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus. 

Salary: £39,347 – £44,263 per annum (Grade 6).  Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

The majority of roles at Cardiff University are currently operating under “blended working” arrangements, with staff having the flexibility to work partly from home and partly from the University campus depending on specific business requirements. Discussions around these arrangements can take place after the successful candidate has been appointed.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

How we will support you in performing in this role –
There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience.  We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:

1.    Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2.    An experienced and supportive team around you
3.    Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4.    A mentoring scheme

Date advert posted: Monday, 11 March 2024

Closing date: Thursday, 28 March 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment – Research – Cardiff University

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Job Purpose
To conduct research within gene editing of expanded CAG/CTG repeats and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties
Research 

• To conduct research within gene editing of expanded CAG/CTG repeats and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.  
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
• To participate in School research activities. 
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions,  explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

Other

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1.    Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.    An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:

i.    Bioengineering of gene editing enzymes, including molecular dynamics.

ii.    Gene editing assays in human cells.

iii.    Measuring size of expanded CAG/CTG repeats in human cells.

3.    Knowledge of current status of research in gene editing for expanded CAG/CTG repeats.

4.    Proven ability to publish in international journals.

5.    Proven ability to be successful in competitive research funding.

Communication and Team Working
6.    Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
7.    Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.

Other
8.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.
9.    Proven ability to work without close supervision.

Desirable Criteria 

10.    Holds a Personal Licence for Animal Work (PIL) from the Home Office.
11.    Evidence of collaborations with industry.
12.    Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
13.    Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable criteria.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to you application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance, 18228BR

Job Category

Academic – Research, Medical & Dental