Internal Applicants Only - Research Fellow

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This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only.  Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.

Internal Applicants Only - Research Fellow
Medicines Discovery Institute
Cardiff University

The Medicines Discovery Institute represents a major investment in translational science by Cardiff University. The goal of the Institute is to translate world-leading research on scientific understanding of disease mechanisms into innovative therapeutic approaches. Our vision is to play a leading role in discovering new medicines in areas of high unmet need, with a particular emphasis on neuroscience, mental health, and cancer. We are creating a vibrant community of researchers across both academic and biotech sectors engaged in major research programmes which build off the unique strengths of Cardiff University and work collaboratively with other universities and companies across Wales and internationally.

The Medicines Discovery Institute are looking to attract a motivated experienced Biologist to join their expanding team at Cardiff University. The successful candidate will have experience in cell biology of lysosomes, endosomes or autophagosomes, and in development of neurodegeneration therapies. Ideally, the candidate will also have experience in high throughput imaging and ion flux measurements. The Institute desires a candidate who has strong leadership and interpersonal skills to help lead and promote the Institute’s success.

The successful candidate will work on a drug development project targeting lysosomes and neurodegeneration, in collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals. Together with the project leader, the role holder will conduct experiments to support the development of this novel therapy, and will co-ordinate internal and external outsourced activities to ensure that project activities are fully integrated. You will work with a team of in-house and external biologists and chemists and liaise with external collaborators in pursuit of the goal of a novel neurodegeneration drug.

The post will be based at Cardiff University and will be part of a multi-disciplinary drug discovery team. For informal inquiries, please contact [email protected].

This position is full-time (35 hours per week) and fixed term until 31st December 2025. 

Secondment opportunity welcome - please note for Cardiff University members of staff interested in this post on a secondment basis, permission will need to be sought from your current Line Manager before applying.

Salary: £49,794 - £54,395 per annum (Grade 7). Please note that it is not expected that we will appoint above grade 7.41, currently £51,283 per annum.

Date advert posted: Thursday, 27 June 2024
Closing date: Thursday, 04 July 2024

External applications are currently not being considered for this post.  If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

Main function

The Medicines Discovery Institute is looking to attract an experienced Cell Biologist to support the development of a novel therapy for neurodegenerative disease. The project is funded by Astex Pharmaceuticals and is full-time for 18 months. The successful candidate will have experience in analysis of lysosomal function including using fluorescent probes, ideally by high content imaging, enzyme assays and ion flux, and in phenotypic characterisation of neurodegenerative disease cellular models. Further experience in maintenance of and differentiation into neurodegenerative disease-relevant cell types (e.g. neurons, microglia) from iPSC, and in establishing and running high content screening assays would be desirable.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Research

• To independently line-manage post-doctoral and research assistant staff employed on the grant, and to coordinate activities to deliver and report on target validation and development of novel modulators of lysosomal function for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.
• To carry out research proof of concept, assay development and screening cascade research activities in support of the project.
• To independently develop research objectives within the remit of the project, or proposals for joint research including research funding acting as a PI as required. To develop research networks through regular national/international conference/seminar/workshop presentations.
• To generate and pursue independent and original research ideas in the fields of lysosomal biology and neurodegeneration, and support the initiation of new lines of research in related areas
• To disseminate research findings using appropriate and effective national and international publications, research seminars, meetings, conferences and regular project update meetings with Astex.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions,  explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects
• To supervise and develop other research staff within own research projects
• To participate in School research activities.

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.

• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

∙ Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
∙ Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
∙ Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

IMPORTANT NOTE: When submitting your supporting statement, you must provide evidence as to how you meet each of the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria below. We suggest that you do so by using each of the criteria as sub-headings, providing written evidence of your relevant skills underneath. Before uploading this attachment, please ensure that you include ****BR within the filename.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1.     Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.     An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
·       lysosomal cell biology, endocytosis or autophagy
·       cell biology support in the development of a new neurodegeneration drug from hit/lead to preclinical development.
·       Coordinating, managing and reporting drug development cascade activities
3.     Growing national reputation within academic field
4.     Proven substantial record of publications in national journals and/or other research outputs (e.g. patents).
5.     Proven ability to attain research funding along with a portfolio of research grants or evidence of having applied for national research grants (e.g. as researcher co-I).

Communication and Team Working
6.     Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
7.     Proven ability to lead and develop a research team
8.     Evidence of collaborations with industry.
9.     Proven ability to work without close supervision

Other
10.  Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work

Desirable Criteria

Job Category

Academic - Research