Internal Only - Research Assistant (Biology)

Conteúdo do emprego

17002BR

Cardiff School of Biosciences

Research

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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 Only - Research Assistant (Biology)

Medicines Discovery School of Biosciences

The post will be based at Cardiff University (Cardiff School of Biosciences) as part of a multi-disciplinary drug discovery team.

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, but not exclusive to, neuroscience and mental health. ?

We have 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.

In addition to several drug discovery projects running at Cardiff University, funded principally by the Wellcome Trust and the MRC, we have close collaborations with biomedical research groups across the university who generate a pipeline of exciting new projects. Our team translates exciting new discoveries in neuroscience, mental health and cancer into potential new medicines for onward development through both academic and commercial routes.

The successful candidate will, work with a team of in-house biologists and chemists and perform in vitro DMPK assays, including the running and maintenance of UPLC/MS-MS instrumentation in support of a project to identify CNS-penetrant allosteric modulators of spinal cord glycine receptor ion channels for the treatment of chronic pain.

For informal inquiries, please contact medicinesdiscovery@cardiff.ac.uk

This position is full-time, 35 hours per week and fixed term from 1st October 2023 until 31st December 2024.

Salary: £32,332 - £34,980 per annum (Grade 5). Please note that it is not expected that we will appoint above grade 5 .25, currently £32,332 per annum.

Closing date: Friday, 29 September 2023

In Higher Education, female and BME (black and minority ethnic) staff are underrepresented in senior academic roles. Applications are therefore particularly welcome from applicants who identify as female and/ or BME. We also welcome applications from members of the LGBT+ Community.

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 who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. 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: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

To contribute to research within both the DMPK and cellular models/cell assay development team within the Medicines Discovery Institute, carrying out supporting work that helps lead to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Key Duties

• To undertake research by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments.
• Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners.
• To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required.
• To contribute and support research funding bids as required.
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages.
• To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate.
• To provide support in research activities for undergraduate courses and research programmes and provide guidance to other members of staff within the research team.
• To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.
  

Other

• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the school and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to, and which will enhance performance.
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• 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

• A degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience.
  

Knowledge, Skills And Experience

• Experience working in an academic drug discovery environment.
• Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately.
• Experience of running in vitro DMPK assays including Microsomal Stability, Thermodynamic solubility, LogD and plasma stability.
• Processing ex-vivo samples for bioanalysis in support of PK/PD studies.
• Setting up, running and maintaining Waters UPLC/MS-MS systems.
• Familiar with the use of industry standard integrated digital science platforms for data upload (i.e., Dotmatics) and ELN documentation.
• Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies
  

Communication and Team Working

• Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences and excellent organisational and team-working skills.
  

Other

• Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work.
  

Desirable Criteria

• Postgraduate degree in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.
• Proven ability to work without close supervision.
• Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
  

Salary Range Min.

32,332

Salary Range Max.

34,980

Job Category

Academic - Research

Grade

Grade 5