Research Assistant in Molecular and Genome Editing Therapeutics job with KINGS COLLEGE LONDON | 311876 – Times Higher Education

Job description

The Jackw lab has an opportunity for a Research Assistant (RA)to join their Molecular and Genome Editing Therapeutics Group at Kings College London. The post, which is a 1.0 FTE fixed term contract until the 31st August 2024. The successful candidate will take charge of handling skin biopsies and blood samples from patients to isolate skin and blood cells, culture and bank those cells. In addition, preparation of the media, reagents, as well as histology and sectioning and staining of the skin equivalents will be part of the responsibility of the RA. The technical support for this project is invaluable and will be essential to move gene editing projects in our laboratory forward. The successful candidate will be helping PhD students, masters students and post docs in the lab in gene editing and other related projects. Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a currently incurable inherited skin disorder characterised by severe blistering of the skin. We have demonstrated the feasibility of using gene editing technology for developingex vivoorin vivogene therapy for patients with inherited skin disorders like RDEB. This project will bring new insights into potentialin vivotherapy using base or prime editing types of gene editing in combination with nanotechnology.

This new RA position will build on previous work from the lab to biobank more patient samples, characterize them and make them ready for gene editing testing using different strategies under investigation in the laboratory (Jackow et al., 2019 PNAS; Sheriff et al., 2022 Manuscript in Revision).

The project will have access to skin biopsies from patients with different forms of genodermatoses including epidermolysis bullosa from our clinic at the St Johns Institute of Dermatology, the largest tertiary referral Centre in the UK for RDEB.

The post will be based at Guys Campus within the School of Basic and Medical Biosciences at St Johns Institute of Dermatology. The candidate will work closely with the principal investigator, Dr Joanna Jackw and Prof Stephen Hart from UCL who is an expert in nanoparticle delivery. We will also closely work with Prof John McGrath and Prof Jemima Mellerio, both of whom are world-renowned experts in epidermolysis bullosa and will be the key clinical personnel to guide patient selection and provision of samples. The postholder will also benefit more broadly from the vast interdisciplinary research and academic networks at Kings College London.

The successful candidate should have a Bachelor or Masters degree in at least one natural science subject. The candidate should be proficient in cell culture and competence working with cells (cell lines, primary cells and iPSCs). Experience with phenotyping of cell subsets using different methods such as: functional assays (proliferation, differentiation, migration and 3D skin constructs), molecular assays (PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, electroporation) will be beneficial but are not essential. Experience with organoid culture and skills in bioinformatics analysis will be highly valued but is not a prerequisite for this position. In addition, some knowledge and experience in skin biology will be of benefit.

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract till 31/08/2024

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

The successful applicant will be responsible for:

The day to day running of the cell culture including occasional weekend work.

Handling skin biopsies, logging in the samples, keeping an update on all log books and being in charge of all spreadsheets related to it.

Isolating fibroblasts and keratinocytes from skin biopsies, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells and other immune cell types from blood.

Maintaining stock levels of consumables Conducting experiments, analysing data and presenting findings to colleagues and supervisors.

Assisting PhD students and master's students within the department.

Working towards meeting project milestone deadlines.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

The applicant must have:

1. A Bachelor or Masters degree in a relevant area

2. Molecular biology and cell culture experience or research in a relevant area

3. An enjoyment for research at the bench and cell culture laboratory

4. Experience usingin vitro2D and 3D models; ideally relating to skin

5. Be skilled at keeping detailed, trackable notes and records

6. Be competent in different techniques one has to apply: flow cytometry and its analysis, western blot, PCR, gel electrophoresis, immunocytochemistry, qPCR

Desirable criteria

1. Skilled in bioinformatics analysis and interpretation of the data

2. Experience with ethical approvals for human subjects. Authorship on peer-reviewed publication

Further information

Interviews will be held in person/remotely by the end of October, 2022 and will include a 10 minute presentation of a previous research project that the applicant has conducted.

See the article here:
Research Assistant in Molecular and Genome Editing Therapeutics job with KINGS COLLEGE LONDON | 311876 - Times Higher Education