Internal Only - Research Associate (Protein Purification)

12455BR

Cardiff School of Biosciences

Research

Advert

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 Only - Research Associate (Protein Purification)
Medicines Discovery Institute
Cardiff School of Biosciences
The Medicines Discovery Institute (MDI) was launched in early 2019 and is a major Cardiff University initiative to translate world-leading research on scientific understanding of disease mechanisms into innovative therapeutic approaches, with a specific – although not exclusive - focus on neuroscience and mental health.  We are integral to 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. As a multidisciplinary team of around 40 drug discovery scientists that benefits from industry-standard, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, the scientific and technical capabilities of the MDI has been reflected in the awarding of around £20m in research funding since the Institute started and our lead project for the treatment of schizophrenia has just entered clinical development.
As part of our continued drive to deliver new drugs to patients, we wish to appoint a Research Associate to join a multidisciplinary team working on a 2-year project funded by the MRC. The project is targeting a subtype of GABAA receptors that are implicated in the pathophysiology of post-partum depression, which is an extreme form of the common so-called “baby blues”. Post-partum depression occurs within the first year after birth in around 20% of mothers and can have serious short- and long-term consequences for both mother and child. In this project we aiming to increase the activity of a unique population of GABAA receptors that are found outside the synapse and which control general brain excitability.
The post will be based at Cardiff University. For informal inquiries, please contact [email protected] .
This position is full-time, and fixed term from 01 January 2022 until 31 December 2023.

Salary: £34,304 - £40,927 per annum (Grade 6).

Closing date: Tuesday, 21 September 2021

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.

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.
“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: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/our-research-environment/integrity-and-ethics/responsible-research-assessment”

Job Description

To conduct research within in vitro and in vivo aspects of GABAAR and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Research
• To conduct research within GABAAR pharmacology and protein biophysics and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
• To participate in School research activities.
• 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

Other
• 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 undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• 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.

Person Specification

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (eg. 1234BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or equivalent 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:
i. Tissue culture of cells lines expressing different combinations of human GABAARs.
ii. Routine determination of GABAAR subunit expression in cell lines (e.g., by PCR and/or Western blot or similar methodologies).
iii. Measurement of the affinity of novel compounds for different subtypes of GABAAR using radioligand binding.
iv. Measurement of the functional effects (i.e., their intrinsic efficacy) of compounds using a cellular functional (e.g., FLIPR fluorescence) assay.
3. Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field
4. Proven ability to publish in national journals, national conferences and/or other research outputs
5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies
6. Ability to:
i. Provide support to the development and optimisation of biophysical assays (e.g., Creoptix WAVE).
ii. Produce quality control data followed by uploading into the appropriate project database (i.e., Dotmatics)

Communication and Team Working
7. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
8. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Other
9. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
10. Proven ability to work without close supervision

Desirable Criteria

11.Relevant professional qualification(s)- if applicable please specify
12. Evidence of collaborations with industry.
13. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
14. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.

Job Category

Academic - Research