Research Assistant/Associate in Cancer Research

Salary:

Research Assistant: £31,396 to £32,982 per annum

Research Associate: £33,966 to £36,024 per annum 

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 25 April 2024

The Role

Your role is to take ownership and deliver this proposed and exciting research project within the time limits specified by the JGWP project grant (1 year). You will receive supervision and support from 2 principal investigators based at the Newcastle University Centre for Cancer and have access to the full suite of infrastructure required to successfully complete this project. You will work in the vibrant and stimulating research environment at the Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre. Attendance and presentation of research progress at inter / -national conferences will be strongly encouraged.

Our group has previously shown drug synergy between Dexamethasone and Dasatinib resulting in enhanced activation of the GR transcriptional programme and cell kill. (PMID: 32139432) We wish to determine the molecular mechanism of drug synergy and exploit this knowledge to reverse Dexamethasone resistance and improve outcomes for patients with ALL/LBL. 

We have generated mass spectrometry proteomics data using our in-house developed APEX2-/TurboID peroxidase-directed proximal biotinylation assay. The candidate will analyse our GR interactome proteomics data and identify differential chaperone recruitment to the GR complex in function of selected drug pressure.  The functional role of candidate proteins could be validated using a variety of techniques, including chromatin and RNA immunoprecipitation, CRISPR knock-out and/or small molecule inhibitors.

We know that GR can also translocate to mitochondrial DNA and may thus play a role in the observed synergy. This angle has not been explored and you will undertake studies to confirm GR translocation and evaluate GR transcriptional activation in the mitochondria.

Finally, in a parallel project, we are interested to understand the role of the CYLD tumour suppressor in drug resistance. We have acquired 2 CYLD knockout cell lines that will allow the determination of CYLD downstream pathways that play a potential role in drug resistance. Once identified, we aim to explore small molecule inhibition of these pathways to reverse drug resistance.
This full time post is offered on a fixed term basis for a period of 12 Months.

For informal enquiries contact: Dr Frederik W van Delft, [email protected]

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/  

Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles.  These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities
•    Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value'
•    Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
•    Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
•    Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
•    Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
•    Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
•    Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
•    Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
•    May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants
•    Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute.
•    May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
•    Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

•    Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
•    Detailed subject knowledge (PI to describe subject knowledge required) in the area of research
•    Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects
•    High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
•    Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
•    Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment
•    Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications
•    Sound knowledge of contemporary molecular and cellular techniques (e.g. IB, IP, IF, qRT-PCR)

Desirable
•    Transcriptomics, proteomics
•    Study of mitochondrial function
•    High dimensional data analysis
•    Knowledge of other bio-informatic packages

Attributes and Behaviour

•    Enthusiastic, team player, motivated, good communicator
•    Diligent, organised, ability to work independently, analytical skills

Desirable
•    Writing and presentation skills

Qualifications

•    Good honours degree (or equivalent) with some subject knowledge in the relevant area (Research Assistant)
•    A PhD in in cancer or molecular biology (Research Associate)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are aDisability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 26618