Research Assistant

We are seeking applications for a Research Assistant position in the Hugh and Josseline Langmuir Centre for Myeloma Research , Centre for Haematology, Department of Immunology and Inflammation at Imperial College London, supervised by Dr Nick Crump .

Acquired drug resistance is a significant problem in cancer treatment. Relapse is a particular concern in multiple myeloma (MM), the second most common haematological malignancy. Patients typically enter remission following treatment, but invariably relapse, often with resistance to one or more drugs. Identifying and overcoming mechanisms of resistance is therefore a key goal in advancing MM treatment.

In addition to genetic mutations, epigenetic mechanisms can drive resistance, with spontaneous changes to chromatin modifications resulting in dysregulation of gene expression. For example, regulatory loci known as enhancers may become silenced, or novel enhancers spontaneously activated, without a change in the underlying DNA sequence. However, little work has been done to investigate the role of chromatin in driving resistance.

You will be working alongside Dr Crump on a project to investigate and identify epigenetic modifications that may contribute to the development of drug resistance in MM. This will involve the culturing of MM cell lines to explore drug resistance mechanisms, and use of high-throughput sequencing techniques to analyse the chromatin profile of samples taken from MM patients.

This is a full-time, fixed term post until 22 August 2025. The successful applicant will be based at Imperial’s Hammersmith Campus.

You will use flow cytometry to isolate myeloma cells from patient samples and process them for epigenetic analysis. You will also grow and treat myeloma cell lines in tissue culture. You will analyse samples using a number of cell culture and molecular biology techniques. This will involve the use of high-throughput sequencing techniques, including ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq and related methodologies.

As part of your development, you will attend relevant workshops, local research seminars and lab meetings, and will develop contacts within the College and the wider community.

You should have a MSc/MRes in Cell/Molecular Biology or related discipline and have experience working in a research laboratory, and have skills with cell culture, flow cytometry and/or chromatin biology work.Experience in the field of haematology and/or blood cancer is desired, but training will be provided.

This is a full-time, fixed term post until 22 August 2025. You will be based at the Hammersmith Campus.

Should you require any further details on the role please contact:

[email protected]

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex, or sexual orientation. We are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Disability Confident Leader and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.