Postgraduate Research Assistant

University of Oxford; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Oxford seeks a diligent Postgraduate Research Assistant to work on cures for inherited cardiomyopathies using advanced genetic therapies.

You will culture iPSCs, differentiate them into cardiomyocytes in 2D/3D formats, and develop oligonucleotide therapies while performing sequencing experiments and data analysis. The role offers collaboration with international groups within CureHeart.

Qualifications

• Candidate must hold a BSc 2:1 or higher in a relevant discipline.
• Experience in cell culture, PCR, qPCR, and DNA/RNA extraction required or advantageous.
• Experience with iPSC culture and differentiation to cardiomyocytes is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Culture and maintain induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) daily.
• Differentiate iPSCs into cardiomyocytes in 2D and 3D formats.
• Develop oligonucleotide therapies and conduct sequencing-related experiments.
• Analyze data and present findings at internal group meetings.

Skills

Cell culture

PCR

qPCR

DNA/RNA extraction

Data analysis

Presentation skills

Education

BSc 2:1 or higher in Developmental, Molecular and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or Natural Sciences

Tools

iPSC culture

Next-generation sequencing

Job description

RDM Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU

We are seeking a highly motivated Postgraduate Research Assistant with expertise and interest in developing cures for inherited cardiomyopathies using advanced genetic therapies to join the CureHeart (https://cureheart.org/) team at the University of Oxford. CureHeart is an Oxford-led international research programme aiming to develop cures for inherited cardiomyopathies using advanced genetic therapies.

As Postgraduate Research Assistant, you will be directly involved in the day-to-day culture and maintenance of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), differentiation of iPSCs into cardiomyocytes in 2D and 3D experimental formats. The post will involve developing oligonucleotide based therapies and a variety of other cellular and sequencing experiments and will also involve analysing data from experiments, and presenting the findings at internal group meetings. The post offers a unique opportunity to develop a skill set in the field of RNA based therapies in iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, with opportunities for networking and collaboration with international research groups.

You will hold a BSc 2:1 or higher in a relevant discipline (i.e., Developmental, Molecular and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or Natural Sciences), alongside having experience in cell culture, PCR, qPCR, and DNA and RNA extraction. Experience in the culture of iPSC and their differentiation into cardiomyocytes or other cell types, along with experience in next generation sequencing library preparation or analysis will be an advantage.

This is a full-time appointment on a fixed-term contract to 9 November 2028, and you will be based at the West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU.