Research Assistant (Mendez-Ferrer Lab) (Part Time, Fixed Term)

We are seeking an enthusiastic full-time Research Assistant to join the group of Prof Simon Mendez-Ferrer within the Haematology Department based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (www.stemcells.cam.ac.uk/people/pi/mendez-ferrer). The Mendez-Ferrer lab is focused on the regulation of the haematopoietic stem-cell niche in health and disease. Blood stem cells reside in specialised niches that allow them to self-renew, proliferate, differentiate and migrate according to the organism's requirements. The group has demonstrated that the brain regulates a peripheral stem cell niche in the bone marrow partly through sympathetic innervation of mesenchymal stem cells that share a niche with haematopoietic stem cells. Ageing is associated with an increased risk to develop myeloid malignancies, such as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The group has shown that the remodelling of the bone marrow microenvironment promotes myeloid cell expansion during premature or physiological ageing. Indeed, damage to this niche regulation is required for MPN progression. Neuroendocrine regulation of bone marrow stem cells by adrenergic signals or by sex hormones could potentially offer novel therapeutic approaches in MPN. Furthermore, AML cells co-opt energy sources and antioxidant defence mechanisms from niche-forming mesenchymal stem cells to survive chemotherapy, offering potential adjuvant therapies to decrease AML relapse.

The successful candidate should hold a degree in a biomedical field or equivalent. Prior experience of laboratory-based research and working with laboratory mice and human samples are essential. An understanding of principles of cellular and molecular biology techniques (DNA; RNA and protein extraction; RT, PCR, QPCR, flow cytometry, cell culture, Western Blot) would be preferable.

The successful candidate will be expected to support the research team by providing technical assistance in the research projects and recording data from experiments. You will be expected to plan your own day-to-day research activity, coordinating with other group members to avoid duplication or conflict. You will be offered the possibility to develop your own research project of interest, provided it is compatible with fulfilling other responsibilities, which include a wide range of tasks to ensure the smooth running of the laboratory, including ordering and maintaining laboratory supplies, as well as maintaining and updating protocols and reagent databases.

Fixed-term (until 31^st January 2029)

Part-time (0.5 FTE)

Informal enquiries directed to Prof Simon Mendez-Ferrer (sm2116@cam.ac.uk) are encouraged.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/47924.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and a CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The closing date for applications is: 1^st September 2024

The interview date for the role is: Week commencing 9^th September 2024

Please quote reference RB42937 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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