Research Assistant/Fellow

The Bartlett School of Planning UCL; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Ref Number B02-08554
Professional Expertise Research and Research Support Department
School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)
Location London
Working Pattern Full time
Salary £43,374 - £51,860
Contract Type Fixed-term
Working Type On site
Available for Secondment No
Closing Date 01-May-2025

About Us
Applications are invited for a position (Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Research Fellow) in the UCL Department of Inflammation, based within the Centre for Amyloidosis, working in close collaboration with Dr Laura McCoy’s group in the Institute of Infection and Immunity, Pears Building. The Centre for Amyloidosis maintains a longstanding high profile clinical and basic science research programme and serves as the national referral centre for patients with amyloidosis and inherited periodic fever (auto-inflammatory) syndromes. More Info. The post holder will play a key role in a priority research project to understand the immune response, isolate and characterise antibodies from patients with systemic amyloidosis, funded by a commercial partner.

About The Role
To assist the existing investigators by performing laboratory-based research to understand the immune response, and to isolate and characterise antibodies from patients with systemic amyloidosis. Experimental techniques will include multiparameter flow cytometry for phenotypic characterisation and isolation of memory B-cells, population and single cell BCR sequencing and cloning, recombinant protein production, antibody purification, and assays of antibody binding characteristics, including ELISA and in vitro cell culture assays. Duties and responsibilities include the following:

1. Perform experiments;
2. Maintain an accurate lab book and file their data in a form accessible to other members of the lab;
3. Maintain and update laboratory standard operating procedures and risk assessments as required;
4. Maintain accurate and up-to-date liquid nitrogen/freezer storage and database recording for samples;
5. Order and maintain lab stocks, effective running of laboratory equipment, trouble-shooting problems where necessary;
6. Carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the PIs.

The nature of scientific work, and in particular work with patient samples, means it may be necessary to work outside normal working hours in order to process tissue samples and complete experiments. Note: this job description reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

About You
Key requirements include:

1. BSc, MSc and/or PhD for appointment at Grade 7 in Biology / Immunology / Biomedical Sciences or related subject;
2. General laboratory skills;
3. Experience of working in a research laboratory;
4. Experience in human cellular immunology;
5. Good level of competency at mammalian cell culture;
6. Good level of competency at multiparameter flow cytometry;
7. Experience of molecular biology (PCR/DNA purification, cloning);
8. Evidence of outstanding attention to detail and a methodical approach;
9. Accurate and complete record keeping and ability to manage time and work to strict deadlines.

What we offer
This is an exciting opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team working across the Division of Medicine. As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days);
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme;
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE);
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan;
• Immigration loan;
• Relocation scheme for certain posts;
• On-Site nursery;
• On-site gym;
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay;
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service;
• Discounted medical insurance. Visit here to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.

Available documents
Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

• download: Research Assistant_JD and Person Spec_PT2_Mar2025_FINAL.docx