Research Assistant in the Clinical Diagnostics Development Unit

About the role

We are looking for a Research Assistant with a biomedical science or molecular biology background. The successful candidate should be skilled, meticulous and versatile, who will support the team in the day-to-day running of the new Clinical Diagnostics Development Unit (CDDU). The CDDU is a translational research laboratory dedicated to the processing of clinical samples to facilitate research in infection, inflammation and immune-related disorders and where adherence to protocols is essential. The role involves a combination of performing laboratory technical assays, quality audits, research, R&D, administration and training others.

The role holder will have the responsibility for the collection and processing of clinical and academic research generated human biological specimens to support research activities across various projects and themes. You will assist the team in all laboratory operations including: biological sample processing from clinical trials and academic research, method validation, various proteomic/nucleic acid assays, cell functional assays, sample inventory and documentation audits, and general laboratory and equipment maintenance as well as troubleshooting. You will create and maintain a database of results for routine and research purposes. You will liaise with research groups within King’s Health Partners and external clients.

On a day-to-day basis, you will take ownership of your assigned work to completion including associated data analysis and necessary written reports. Updating paper and digital logs of samples, data generated and required communications with team members, clients, service engineers and local estates. Maintain adherence to the required quality, safety and regulatory requirements. You will be expected to write laboratory schedules, standard operating procedures (SOPs), data reports and participate in audit preparation and risk assessments. You will be expected to present study data to the team, board members and clients.

The post holder should be familiar with graphical and statistical packages and spreadsheets for data entry and analysis. The successful candidate will be expected to help train other staff and students, be self-motivated to update their technical and scientific knowledge.

There will occasionally be clinical research studies requiring extended hours and weekend work for sample processing which will require the candidate to have a flexible approach within the team.

Informal enquiries about the role are encouraged. Please get in touch with the CDDU manager. 

This is a full time (35 Hours per week) fixed term contract until April 2027.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• BSc in biological/biomedical sciences/molecular biology/ or equivalent
• Experience working in a laboratory environment (GCP)
• Experience of handling and processing human biological samples
• Tissue culture experience, particularly primary human cells and blood
• Able to organise, analyse and summarise data, report experimental or processed sample results using a variety of scientific, word processing, spreadsheet or statistical software applications or program platforms
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritise, and complete work within deadlines
• Ability to follow laboratory SOPs and to be able to advise and supervise others in these tasks Effective verbal and written communication

Desirable criteria

• Experience with immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry
• Human Tissue Act and Good Clinical Laboratory Practice training
• Experience in western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry, qPCR
• Experience with next-generation sequencing
• Bioinformatics

Advert information