Research Associate/Fellow (Fixed term)

Applications are invited for the role of Research Associate/Fellow in the School of Medicine, University of Nottingham. You will be based in the Biodiscovery Institute (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/research-areas/biodiscovery-institute/biodiscovery-institute.aspx ), with access to a range of state-of-the-art facilities, and work as part of the £23m National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

The project, funded by Accession Therapeutics, will study the infectivity of a novel viral immunotherapeutic agent called TROCEPT in fibrotic lung tissue utilising precision cut lung slices as a 3D culture model. Accession Therapeutics’ proprietary technology incorporates cancer-tropic viruses, the first time that viruses have been genetically modified to exclusively target cancer cells. This project forms part of the further preclinical development of TROCEPT and aims to thoroughly investigate the ability of TROCEPT to infect fibrotic lung tissue.

The successful role holder will utilise precision cut lung slices to study TROCEPT infectivity. PCLS are an ideal tissue-based model as they are comprised of all structural cells found within the lungs and maintain normal cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The role holder will be responsible for initial model optimisation for use in viral infection studies and will utilise end point analyses including immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR and western blotting. This post will be based within the laboratory group of Dr Amanda Tatler, who has extensive experience of using PCLS to study respiratory diseases, including those of a fibrotic nature. The role holder will be responsible for carrying out laboratory research, data analysis and presentation of results both internally within the University and externally to Accession Therapeutics.

A PhD or the equivalent in professional qualifications is required. Consideration will be given to candidates who are PhD students nearing the submission of their thesis. It is desirable for the successful candidate to have experience in some of the following areas: working with human and rodent tissue and knowledge of the requirements of the Human Tissue Authority, handling and working with viruses, and immunohistochemistry/ immunofluorescence. The post holder will be comfortable working both independently and in a collaborative environment. ?

This is a fixed-term post until 31st March 2025. Hours of work are full-time (36.25 hours) ; however applications are also welcome from candidates wishing to work part-time (minimum 29 hours per week). Please specify in your application if you wish to work part time and the number of preferred hours. Job share arrangements may be considered.

Requests for secondment from internal candidates may be considered on the basis that prior agreement has been sought from both your current line manager and the manager of your substantive post if you are already undertaking a secondment role.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Amanda Tatler via email [email protected] . Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.