Last Date: 16th November 2023.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Details
Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 5, salary £29,904
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to January 2025
Closing date: 16th November 2023
Background
This post is for 1 year in the first instance and will support work of the Cancer Inflammation theme within the Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
Specifically, the post will undertake laboratory research which will support delivery of academic outputs relating to the cell therapy work package of the Cancer theme. This aims to support a translational programme that will develop new approaches to (1) improve the efficacy of current cell therapy treatments (stem cell transplantation; CAR-T; bi-specific antibodies) and (2) seek to reduce the toxicity of these protocols.
The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Paul Moss and Dr Kriti Verma who will link with additional academic partners within Birmingham Health Partners to develop a strong BRC translational cell therapy programme.
The role will primarily involve undertaking laboratory analyses of patient blood and tissue, immune cell, and biofluid samples which will include (but are not limited to) the following techniques: cell culture, flow cytometry, qPCR, ELISA. Experience in isolation and culture of immune cells is essential, others skills listed are desirable, training will be provided for the remainder.
The role holder will be collaborating with other stakeholders such as members of the group, and wider University, clinical staff at local trusts and external investigators.
The post holder will also be expected to carry out administrative tasks related to the delivery of the research including (but not limited to): Maintaining stocks of related consumables, creating purchase order requisitions, participating in general lab duties, and ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition.
Job summary
You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance in research support. You may supervise a number of technical staff but even where you do not directly supervise staff you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate.
You will need an in-depth understanding of the research questions, techniques and experimental protocols. You will be able to use your in-depth knowledge to advise on procedures, diagnose and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to issues which arise. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate experimental procedures.
In order to flexibly use resource, you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider university.
Main duties
- You will be responsible for assisting in managing the research laboratories. Including maintaining stocks of consumables, creating purchase order requisitions, participating in general lab duties, ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe.
- You will use your in-depth knowledge of methods and procedures to advise on techniques and experimental procedures being used by researchers and/or students. This will involve communicating with colleagues at a range of levels including inexperienced students.
- You will need to be able to diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions in regard to techniques and experiments.
- Carry out specialist technical and experimental procedures which will need you to use your judgment to assess the correct technique to use, and to consider how these may be improved, referring to your manager for approval on any proposed changes. These techniques will include but not exclusively:
- Isolation and enrichment of cell subsets from whole blood and the subsequent phenotypic and functional characterisation of the cells
- Culture and transfection/transduction of primary cells and cell lines in vitro
- Multi-colour flow cytometry and cell sorting including analysis of the data
- DNA and RNA extraction
- PCR techniques including real time PCR and endpoint PCR
- T cell ELISPOTs
- You will need to maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures you carry out, and for any other research activities you may be involved in including results.
- Analyse research data as directed and present draft research outputs.
- Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.
- Comply with and promote the operating procedures for the area, including the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures regulation.
- You may contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.
Health and Safety duties
- Proactive support for health and safety within the laboratory. This may include being required to look after a communal area as part of your duties. Comply with all current rules and ensure all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date.
- Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.
- Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained.
- Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).
- Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for laboratory.
- Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for the laboratory.
- Postholders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider.
General Administration and Organisation
- Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.
- Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required generate purchase order requisitions using University systems.
- Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.
- Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
- Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained.
- Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.
- Maintain a technical support based teaching laboratory website (how to guides for the preparation of materials, practical setup guides), and keeping these up to date as and when session requirements or protocols change or maintaining relevant research lab databases/records.
Other Duties
- In collaboration with the relevant manager the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.
- Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.
- Any other duties as may reasonably be required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience
- Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.
- GCSE level 2 (A*- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
- In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods.
- Extensive proven experience in cell preparation, cell culture, flow cytometry, ELISpot analysis, DNA/RNA extraction and cell database management is essential.
- Knowledge of Human Tissue Act.
- Extensive experience of similar laboratory based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment.
- Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
- Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
- Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team.
- Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
- Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.
- Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
- Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
- Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.
Dimensions
You will provide specialist expertise in your area and provide advice and support to a range of customers. You may supervise staff; even where you do not have supervisory responsibilities you will be expected to act as a role model for other staff. You may be involved in budget monitoring.
Planning and organising
You will be required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium-longer-term horizons without daily supervision. You will ensure that you have the resources required, which will require planning ahead and procurement of goods.
Problem solving and decision making
You will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting relevant manager, and prepare for research experiments. You will be able to uphold Health and Safety procedures. You will need to be confident in identifying problems, breaking them down and implementing solutions. Although you will work under the direction of more senior staff you will be able to carry out your work with a large amount of autonomy.
Internal and external relationships
This role will be advising and supporting research staff and/or students, and with external contacts such as company representatives.
Informal enquiries to Lisa Powell, email: [email protected]
We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.
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