Research Assistant/Associate in Vascular Biology - Plaque erosion biology
Requisition ID: 27986
Location: Newcastle, GB
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Working Pattern: Full Time
Posted Date: 21 Mar 2025
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: 20 April 2025
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Newcastle Cardiovascular team and contribute to research focused on understanding the processes involved in causing heart attacks.
This successful appointee will investigate the biology of endothelial cells in processes related to plaque erosion. It will combine analysis of patient-derived endothelial cells obtained from the clinic, with mechanistic studies under physiological and pathological flow that model the different blood flow patterns found in human coronary arteries. You will combine RNA sequencing, bioinformatics, pathway analysis and molecular biology techniques to investigate novel pathological mechanisms involved in the initiation of heart attacks. In addition, you may be required to assist with other projects within the lab, relating to cardiovascular pathology. You will analyse data and produce drafts of publications as well as give presentations on the findings to international conferences.
You will have a high level of academic achievement, including a PhD or imminent award of a PhD, and proven scientific ability in cardiovascular research. An ability to work within a team is critical.
The post is fixed for a period of 12 months.
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
* Co-ordinate your own work with that of others
* Work to deadlines and with support, manage competing priorities
* Ensure that personal knowledge in relevant fields of study is kept up to date
The Person (Essential)
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
* Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
* Detailed subject knowledge in cardiovascular biology
* 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
* The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems
* RNA sequencing and bioinformatic pipelines, with strong analytical skills and use of statistics
* Experience of working with primary endothelial cells in culture, particularly under physiological or pathological flow environments
* Generation and safe use of gene overexpression and knockdown vectors/technologies and use of transcription factor reporters
* Publication record in the area of cardiovascular biology
Attributes and Behaviour
* Collegiate
* Conscientious with meticulous attention to detail
* Self-motivated driven by a passion for science
Qualifications
* A PhD in cardiovascular biology or related discipline is required (Research Associate), or having completed a PhD with imminent degree award including a good honours degree (or equivalent) with some subject knowledge in the relevant area (Research Assistant)
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