Research Assistant in Mass Spectrometry

We are looking for an experienced researcher in biological mass spectrometry (MS) to work on an MS platform development project for large population diagnostics based on liquid AP-MALDI MS, funded by the EPSRC (https://gow.epsrc.ukri.org/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/V047485/1).

This project is a unique opportunity to advance MALDI MS to the next generation of tools in clinical diagnostics, especially in clinical microbiology, enhancing the speed and specificity of disease detection. The project is well supported, including collaborators from a major analytical instrument manufacturer and the local Royal Berkshire Hospital, and a newly funded and dedicated Q-TOF mass spectrometer.

The postholder will be involved in all aspects of the project work, including MS hardware maintenance, set-up and optimisation, MS analyses, biological sample preparation, and clinical sample handling as well as data analysis, mining and writing up of results for scientific publication. As major parts of the work on this project are lab-based, you should be able to easily and reliably get to our Whiteknights campus.

The position is a full-time, fixed-term position of up to 9 months duration in the Cramer lab at the Department of Chemistry on our beautiful and award-winning Whiteknights Campus.

You will:

• hold an honours degree or equivalent at the 2:1 level or higher, desirably a PhD or equivalent qualification, in the relevant discipline or subject areas;
• be able to start in January/February 2025 and be able to easily and reliably get to the University’s Whiteknights Campus;
• have extensive knowledge of mass spectrometry and its application;
• have significant experience of using modern mass spectrometry instrumentation with soft ionisation techniques;
• be strongly motivated with good organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• have good verbal, communication and interpersonal skills;
• be able to work both independently and part of a research team.

We welcome applications from both external and internal candidates. As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role can be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Internal candidates should discuss this with their line manager prior to applying.

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on 15th January 2025

Interviews will be held on w/c 20th of January 2025

Contact details for the advert

Contact Name: Rainer Cramer
Contact Job Title: Professor
Contact Email address: r.k.cramer@reading.ac.uk

Candidates who do not already have permission to work in the UK should note that by reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship will not be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

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