Research Assistants - Chemistry & Oligonucleotide Development

Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire

Fixed-Term, 18 months

About the Role We have two Research Assistant roles which will be key members of the NATA Chemistry Team supporting the synthesis and development of nucleic acid therapeutics / new therapeutic oligonucleotides for various translational and shared projects. You will be involved in either the operation of oligonucleotide synthesizers or developing novel chemistry associated with oligonucleotides. In these roles you will work with other chemistry and biology team members to ensure smooth running of the NATA projects, and perform analytical techniques to analyse the identity, purity and quality of generated products. Key Responsibilities include:

• Taking a proactive approach to learning and implementing new techniques and methods related to nucleic acid chemistry/ oligonucleotide chemistry, synthesis and analysis.
• Assisting in the synthesis, purification, and analysis of nucleic acid therapeutics/ oligonucleotide therapeutics.
• Providing support in undertaking lab duties such as lab and equipment maintenance, H&S administration, inventory, databases, and SOPs.
• Keeping excellent scientific records and implementing 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:

• For Chemistry Research Assistant -Hold a Master’s degree in chemistry or near completion.
• For Oligonucleotide Development Research Assistant - Hold a degree in chemistry or a related field.
• Experience in a chemistry laboratory, performing synthetic organic chemistry or oligonucleotide synthesis.
• Expertise in analytical chemistry, organic chemistry or nucleic acid chemistry.
• Experience in HPLC purification systems and knowledge of LC-MS analysis of molecules.
• Experience in data analysis, interpretation and the ability to maintain scientific records.

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 2464