Research Assistant - Biology

Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire

Fixed-Term, 18 months 

About the Role

You will be critical in operating the NATA oligonucleotide in vitro and in vivo validation and pharmacology platforms. The individual will operate and maintain cell culture equipment and materials, undertake biological validation testing, lead compound screening and assess toxicology maker indicators. Other general duties required are to ensure smooth running of the NATA biology lab i.e., database implementation, experimental materials traceability, consumables inventory.  You will assist Researchers on the high industry standard validation of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics for various translational and collaborative projects.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Performing the screening, hit validation and toxicology assessment of several classes of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics
• Maintaining NATA cell line libraries (immortalized, primary, patient lines)
• Assisting with cellular functional studies including cell sorting and microscopy/image analysis
• Carrying out target validation and efficacy assessment using mRNA/protein quantification methods
• Managing instruments, reagents and biological resources efficiently
• Keeping excellent scientific records and implement databases  

About us
The Nucleic Acid Therapy Accelerator (NATA) is an MRC Unit based on the Harwell Research and Innovation Campus with a mission to advance the development of nucleic acid therapies through high quality science, collaborations and inter-disciplinary research.

The NATA ( https://www.natahub.org/) will focus on bringing together key stakeholders around the infrastructure hub while catalysing collaborative R&D activity with focused support to tackle significant barriers facing oligonucleotide therapy delivery to key organs. This investment will support capacity building in terms of equipment, upskilling and domain expertise that will be essential in developing critical mass to catalyse and de-risk the development of next generation nucleic acid medicines.

About You

You will have:

• A relevant degree in Biology or related field
• Experience of working in a laboratory, preferably translational and related to Nucleic Acid Therapeutics
• Expertise in tissue culture including culturing of cells with different characteristics, primary cells, cell lines and genetically engineered cell lines
• Experience in cell-based screening assays such as ELISA, immunocytochemistry and Western blotting
• Experience in primer design and RT-PCR/qPCR protocols
• Experience in high throughput cell-based screening assays

Benefits: Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits, from a defined-benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement, to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the work of a world-class medical research organisation.

How to Apply:

For full details and to apply, please click on the 'Apply' button above to submit an application. Your cover letter should clearly outline how you fulfil the criteria listed in the personal specification and your motivation for applying for this role.

Please quote reference NATA 2462

The closing date for applications is 18^th August 2024

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