Senior Research Technician

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £28,397 to £30,210, with potential progression once in post to £33,938.

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract up to July 2025

Background

The Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research is seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Technician to join the lab of Dr Nekisa Zakeri to study strategies to promote gamma-delta T cell recruitment for primary liver tumours, utilising 3D modelling and advanced microscopy techniques (Incucyte/Rastrum platforms, flow adhesion assays, and multiphoton microscopy). The successful candidate will provide experimental support for a 6-month period.

This post will provide excellent opportunities for skills and career development and network building within the Institute. Applicants should have an MSc/MREs in Immunology or a related subject area, be self-driven, and able to work in a diverse group of researchers. Independence in confocal microscopy and cell culture is required for this post. Experience of flow cytometry is desirable.

Role Summary

You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance in research support. You may supervise a number of technical staff but even where you do not directly supervise staff you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate.

You will need an in-depth understanding of the research questions, techniques and experimental protocols. You will be able to use your in-depth knowledge to advise on procedures, diagnose and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to issues which arise. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate experimental procedures.

Main Duties

Specific duties and responsibilities for this position include:

• Human blood and liver tissue processing for immune cell isolation.
• In vitrocell culture experiments.
• Confocal microscopy and immune cell recruitment assays.
• Spheroid formation.
• Examining recruitment of cells using Rastrum and Incucyte platforms.
• Analysis of results.
• Contributing to manuscripts for publication.

Person Specification

• Independence in confocal microscopy is required.
• Experience of cell co-culture experiments.
• Experience of immunostaining.
• Experience in flow cytometry
• Desirable but not essential: Experience in immune cell isolation from blood +/- human tissue.
• Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.
• GCSE level 2 (A*- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
• In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods.
• Extensive experience of similar laboratory based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment.
• Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
• Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team.
• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
• Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.
• Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
• Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Nekisa Zakeri, email: n.zakeri@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

Closes: 9th January 2025

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