Research Associate

The role

The post-holder will be required to work on a project entitled ‘NFYA: a novel, potentially druggable, mechanosensitive mechanism of cardiac fibrosis’ under Dr Mark Bond’s supervision. The project is funded by the British Heart Foundation for 3 years and will involve characterization of the role played by the NFY transcription factor as a biomechanical sensor and regulator of cardiac fibroblast proliferation, in the context of cardiac fibrosis. The project will involve using a wide range of molecular cell biology techniques, in silico molecular modelling and ex vivo experimental models.

What will you be doing?

The successful candidate will play a key role in developing this research project and ensuring its success. The research will involve the isolation of primary cultures of cardiac fibroblasts and myocardial slices, and analysis of these to characterise the regulation and function of the NFY transcription factor in the regulation of cardiac fibroblast proliferation, migration and fibrosis. You will undertake responsibility for the day-to-day management of the project, experimental design, data collection and analysis, experimental model validation and optimization, and accurate and detailed record-keeping. The post may also require you to help with some teaching and supervision of post-graduate research students. The project will require the use of a wide range of core molecular biology and cell biology techniques including, viral and non-viral gene transfer, qRT-qPCR, cell culture, expression vector construction, gene transcription assays, protein expression analysis, and cell behaviour assays.

You should apply if

We welcome applications from candidates who:

• Are highly motivated by cardiovascular research.
• Have a PhD in the field of molecular cell biology.
• Have previous research experience in functional analysis of transcription factors.
• Have previous research experience in analysing cell signalling pathways.

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended (Fixed funding until 31/03/2027)

This advert will close at 23:59 on 13 May 2024.

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