Research Assistant

Warwick; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Holiday allowance

Learning opportunities

Savings on products/services

Parental leave

Onsite childcare

Flexible working

Job summary

Warwick is seeking a Research Assistant to support a Wellcome-funded project in mechanochemical cell biology. You will purify recombinant human proteins expressed in insect or mammalian cells for biochemical assays and data analysis, while maintaining stock control and general lab support.

You will join a dynamic team in a state-of-the-art lab environment at the University of Warwick, contributing to understanding microtubule organisation and intracellular transport.

Qualifications

• University degree in natural sciences, biochemistry, biophysics or related field.
• Vocational training as a laboratory technician or equivalent research experience.
• Experience with protein engineering, expression, purification and characterisation is essential.

Responsibilities

• Purify recombinant human proteins expressed in insect or mammalian cells for biochemical assays.
• Provide general laboratory support and stock management.
• Assist with data analysis and coordination of project tasks.

Skills

Protein engineering

Protein expression

Protein purification

Characterisation

Biophysical experiments

Biochemical experiments

Lab management

Stock control

Presentations

Communication

Education

University degree in natural sciences

Lab technician training

Job description

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Hours: Full-time, 36.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)

Full time Salary Range: £31,236 - £34,610 per annum

About the Role

A Wellcome-funded Research Assistant post to provide technical support in an enthusiastic, well-established lab analysing the fundamental mechanisms of microtubule organisation and intracellular transport.

The post holder will be a member of the Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology and Warwick Medical School benefitting from an outstanding scientific environment and access to state-of-the-art research facilities.

The main responsibility of the post holder will be the purification of recombinant human proteins expressed in insect or mammalian cells for biochemical assays, quantitative data analysis and general laboratory support.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description.

About You

Candidates are expected to have either a university degree in a relevant subject area (natural sciences, biochemistry, biophysics etc.), vocational training as a laboratory technician or equivalent research experience.

Applicants should have a track record in protein engineering, expression, purification and characterisation using biophysical and biochemical experiments, as well as in more generic laboratory support and management, including re-ordering and stock control. Excellent proven manual skills and excellent proven record keeping skills and communication skills, including presentations skills are all essential.

About the Department

You will join the laboratory of Professor Anne Straube in the Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology (https://mechanochemistry.org). The Straube lab aims to understand how microtubule arrays are organised and control the morphology of cells. In particular, we use live cell imaging, force measurements, quantitative image analysis tools and in vitro reconstitution experiments to understand the function of motor proteins in organising microtubules and transporting cargo.

We offer an outstanding environment for discovery science in one of the best universities in the UK. The Centre of Mechanochemical Cell Biology at the University of Warwick seeks to understand the principles of cellular self-organisation with a focus on mechanisms that enable cell duplication, movement and repair. The centre is home to 20 principal investigators with backgrounds in cell biology, computer science and physics. It is housed in the purpose-built Mechanochemical Cell Biology building with state-of-the art imaging facilities.

The post holder will also join Warwick Biomedical Sciences (BMS). BMS has a mission to advance world-class discovery science with an interdisciplinary approach to unravel the fundamental mechanisms of physiological and pathological processes, develop pioneering diagnostic and preventive technologies, and deliver ground-breaking treatments for a healthier future for all. Areas of research excellence focus on quantitative cell and developmental biology, host-pathogen interactions and human reproduction.

• attractive pension scheme


• generous holiday allowance plus Christmas closure


• excellent learning and development opportunities


• savings on a wide range of products and services


• generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy


• onsite childcare facilities


• flexible working

Right to Work in the UK

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.

Warwick is committedto building an organisation ofmutual respectanddignity, promoting awelcoming, diverse, and inclusive workingand learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to berecognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social, and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.

We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation.

The University currently holds aRace Equality Charter Bronze Award,Athena Swan Sliver Awardand aDisability Smart Bronze Award. The University of Warwick is also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.