A Research Assistant position is available within the group of Prof. Antonio Vidal-Puig, based at the Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science and the Victor Phillip Heart and Lung Research Institute. The group's research interest is to understand how obesity causes cardiometabolic complications. The British Heart Foundation funds the position, and the selected candidate will assist the group in investigating the impact of metabolic inflammation in cardiometabolic diseases with a focus on macrophages' lipid remodelling.
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The post holder's work will involve multiple core responsibilities within a laboratory environment, including the processing and management of samples taken as part of ongoing studies, cell culture, routine application of standard cell and molecular biology techniques such as lipid/RNA/protein extraction, genotyping, RT-PCR, western blotting, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. Additionally, the successful applicant will assist with animal phenotyping and tissue collection. The post holder will also be required to manage data entry or analysis, will be responsible for ordering consumables, and will contribute to the maintenance of core equipment.
Applicants should have a BSc or equivalent degree in Biology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline. Experience working in a laboratory environment with proficiency in cell culture and some of the listed molecular biology techniques is essential for this post. Additional experience in lipidomics, animal experiments, gene editing, bioinformatics, and/or other molecular biology techniques will be positively considered. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, effective communicator with good IT, data management, and organizational skills and the ability to work independently or within a team as required.