Research Technician in Neurogenomics

About the role

We are recruiting a Research Technician to provide technical support within the Skene Lab to one or more projects including combinatorial padlock-probe-amplified fluorescence in situ hybridization (coppaFISH). This is a method that amplifies a selected panel of RNA transcripts in situ using barcoded padlock probes and reads out their barcodes combinatorially through multiple rounds of seven-colour fluorescence imaging. The beauty of this method for Parkinson’s disease research is that it will enable us to simultaneously identify the cell type identity of every cell within a tissue section at a low cost. This will enable disease neuropathology to be done at an unprecedently high throughput, which will in turn transform what we know about Parkinson’s disease.

What you would be doing

Building on laboratory experience and under the direction of the line manager, you will:

• Undertake training and demonstrate an aptitude for an organised, methodical approach to your work.
• Provide up-to-date technical expertise, advice and support for specialised methods appropriate to the research project.
• Select and order situ hybridisation probes for coppaFISH and execute multi-step staining protocols using coppaFISH
• Organise, collect and QC tissue samples
• Run software analysis pipeline for coppaFISH
• Basic methods for molecular biology (PCR, qPCR, Western blotting) of human tissue samples

What we are looking for

You will be creative and independent.  You should be interested in the questions being pursued, as well as performing your work to the highest standards. Experience with running software pipelines and some computational experience will be advantageous. Having experience working with neuropathology and handling of post-mortem samples will be beneficial.  While close supervision will be provided when needed, the post holder also will be given opportunities in areas of expertise and in supervising rotating project students for their technical training.

What we can offer you

The role will be part of the UK Dementia Research Institute and the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London. Research Technicians enjoy excellent career development opportunities including the opportunity to participate in the Technicians’ Network at Imperial and more widely with technologists across the UK DRI.  All Imperial staff benefit from:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further information

The role is a Full time, Fixed term (1 year) based at our White City Campus.

If you require any further details about the role, please contact:

Nathan Skene – n.skene@imperial.ac.uk .

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