Research Associate

Full time and fixed term for 12 months

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen to join the Dean lab at Imperial College to complete an MRC funded project investigating ‘A pharmacological approach to drive lung repair’.

This 12-month Research Associate post has become available due to the current post-holder obtaining a lectureship.

Research in the Dean lab aims to transform our understanding of regenerative biology and accelerate the discovery of new regenerative medicine treatments for lung diseases. www.lungdevelopmentandrepair.org.

The Dean lab. has identified a putative pro-repair protein, Wnt5a (DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1349312 ). This project seeks to determine the cellular mechanisms through which Wnt5a drives alveolar repair and determine the optimal hydrogel formula to encapsulate Wnt5a for successful drug delivery to human lung tissue. The work will utilise a novel 3D model of lung injury and repair developed in the Dean lab. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120480).

This project provides an excellent opportunity for a driven individual to investigate an exciting research question, using a variety of cutting-edge approaches.

Duties and responsibilities

The potholder will be involved in developing and driving the project as well as writing up the work for presentation and publication.

The successful applicant will:

• obtain mouse and human precision cut lung slices and assess repair responses to localised injuries through the application of imaging technologies.
• conduct long-tern live imaging of lung repair in precision-cut lung slices and determine the effects of Wnt5a or it’s modulation in the repair process.
• optimise a hydrogel platform to encapsulate Wnt5a for controlled growth factor release.
• assess the pro-repair capabilities of the Wnt5a-hydrogel formulation in human lung tissue.
• conduct cytokine assays, histological analysis, immunofluorescence, microscopy, RNA extraction and real time PCR as necessary.
• conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision.
• contribute to the design of future experiments.
• maintain highly organised and accurate records of experimental work.
• conduct data analysis, ensuring the validity and reliability of data at all times.
• contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s laboratories and, facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories.
• participate in Group research meetings and internal seminars.
• publish in high quality journals and regularly present data at national and international meetings.
• assist with the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students as required.
• develop contacts and research collaborations within the College and the wider community.

Essential requirements

• A PhD degree in Biological Sciences, ideally with experience in cell biology, regenerative medicine or bioengineering.
• Experience of cell biology and 3-D imaging techniques.
• Experience of developing and working with hydrogels.
• Experience with analysing physiochemical properties of cells/tissues/biomaterials e.g. Atomic Force Microscopy, Rheology.
• Previous experience of working with mouse models
• Experience of working with precision cut lung slices.
• Experience with multi-parameter flow cytometry and cell sorting.
• Experience in immunofluorescence and microscopy techniques e.g. confocal, widefield, time-lapse imaging.
• Strong publication record, appropriate to your career stage.

Further information

This is a Fulltime position but happy to consider Part Time (0.8 FTE) and Fixed Term post offered for 12 months. You will be based at Hammersmith (East Acton) / White City Campus or work hybrid in the UK.

• Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £41,694 – £44,888 per annum

Should you require any further details on the role please contact Dr Charlotte Dean (c.dean@imperial.ac.uk).

Hybrid working may be considered for this role. Staff working in roles that are suitable for hybrid working will normally be expected to work 60% of their time onsite. The opportunity for hybrid working will be discussed at interview.

More information is available on the following web page: Work Location Categories (from 30 September 2023) Administration and support services Imperial College London

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