Research Assistant / Sample Biobanker in Blood Cancer Research

We are seeking two highly motivated and enthusiastic research assistant / sample biobanking staff  to join the  Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratories (two research groups led by Professors  Adam Mead and Beth Psaila), focusing on the study of how blood cells develop normally and how this is disrupted in patients with blood cancers. The work focuses primarily on a type of blood cancer called ‘myeloproliferative neoplasms’ and is highly translational, involving recruitment of samples from patients seen in clinics in Oxford and other hospitals in the UK.  As research involving human samples is governed by several regulations, you must be able to work with a high degree of precision and attention to detail.

Your duties will involve the biobanking of human peripheral blood and bone marrow samples from patients in line with the appropriate Standard Operating Procedures. In addition to sample biobanking, you will support research around genotyping patient samples and functional experiments, which may include DNA/RNA extraction, digital droplet PCR, Next Generation Sequencing library preparation, flow cytometry, and ELISA assays. This work will interface with the work of other members of the research groups, aiming to understand the biological processes underlying normal and malignant haematopoiesis.

You will hold a degree in a relevant biomedical or scientific discipline and have experience with tissue banking techniques. It is essential to have a good understanding of research ethics including the requirement to protect the identity of the participants and the responsibilities of custodianship of donated samples. Experience of performing molecular biology techniques is desirable.

The posts are available fixed-term until 31 December 2027, supported by funding from Ludwig Cancer Research, Cancer Research UK, National Institute of Health Research (Oxford BRC) and Incyte Corporation.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online. You will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your online application.

The closing date for this position is noon on Wednesday 16 April 2025. Interviews will take place on Wednesday 7 May 2025.

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