Research Assistant (Stem Cell Biology)

Diversity Dashboard; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave purchase option

Generous pension scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Discounts and rewards on shopping/eat/

Staff networks and professional groups

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a Research Assistant to join the Tsakiridis Lab, supporting routine human pluripotent stem cell culture, differentiation, sample preparation and data analysis. You will help manage the laboratory and assist in developing and testing new techniques, ensuring work meets protocols and deadlines.

Applicants should hold a BSc or MSc in a relevant biology field and have hands-on experience with cell culture, RNA isolation, qPCR, immunostaining,

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biological discipline such as Stem Cell/Developmental Biology
• Experience with cell (ideally hPSC) culture, RNA isolation; qPCR; immunostaining; fluorescence/confocal microscopy; flow cytometry
• Strong IT skills and knowledge including experience with a range of laboratory software
• Effective written and verbal communication skills: report writing, presenting, collaborating
• Excellent organisational and planning skills with the ability to prioritise and plan own workload to deadlines
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving and adapt to new circumstances
• Experience in qPCR, immunostaining, flow cytometry and fluorescence/confocal microscopy techniques
• Experience in lab management

Responsibilities

• Routinely work on Weekdays and weekends to culture, differentiate and harvest hPSC lines
• Analyse harvested samples by immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and qPCR
• Assist in analysis of quantitative and qualitative data
• Provide assistance to other members of the laboratory
• Record results and present findings to colleagues
• Carry out lab management tasks such as stock maintenance and reagent purchasing
• Be involved in development and testing of new techniques and monitor equipment
• Contribute to writing manuscripts for publication
• Contribute to outreach and public engagement activities
• Prioritise own work to meet deadlines and assist PI in planning future work
• Analyse and problem solve to interpret information and troubleshoot equipment

Skills

IT skills

Lab software knowledge

Organisational skills

Planning skills

Data analysis

Education

BSc or MSc in biology or related

Tools

qPCR equipment

Immunostaining equipment

Flow cytometer

Fluorescence/confocal microscopy

RNA isolation tools

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

We are looking to appoint a Research Assistant to join the research group led by Dr Anestis Tsakiridis. The successful applicant will provide support for routine human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) culture and differentiation, preparation of samples and analysis. General lab management duties will also be required. This work is part of an MRC DPFS-funded project aiming to develop a cell therapy to treat Hirschsprung disease.

Applicants must have a BSc or MSc (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biological discipline such as Stem Cell/Developmental Biology and experience with the following techniques: cell (ideally hPSC) culture, RNA isolation; quantitative real time PCR; immunostaining; fluorescence/confocal microscopy; flow cytometry. Strong IT skills and knowledge including experience with a range of laboratory software and excellent organisational and planning skills with the ability to prioritise and plan own workload to agreed protocols and deadlines are also essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Routinely work flexibly on weekdays and at weekends to carry out routine culture, differentiation and harvesting of various hPSC cell lines.

• Analysis of harvested samples e.g. by immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and qPCR.

• Assist in the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.

• Provide assistance to other members of the laboratory when required.

• Accurately record results, providing analysis and presenting findings to colleagues.

• Carry out lab management tasks e.g. stock maintenance, reagent purchasing etc.

• Be involved with the development and testing of new techniques/approaches, including the monitoring and maintenance of equipment and systems for use by staff and students.

• Contribute to the writing of manuscripts for publication in international journals.

• Contribute to the group's wider dissemination of research through outreach and public engagement activities.

• Prioritise own work within a general schedule to meet deadlines and appropriate standards and assist the PI and other staff in planning future work, including coordinating arrangements and delegating tasks to others.

• Analyse and problem solve to understand and interpret information and make recommendations, e.g., skills for analysing data and reports, diagnosing, and troubleshooting technical equipment.

• Attend all required safety and training courses, comply with required safety, licensing, and technical regulations, and assist the PI in ensuring the lab is also compliant.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

• BSc or MSc (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biological discipline such as Stem Cell/Developmental Biology
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Experience with the following techniques: cell (ideally hPSC) culture, RNA isolation; quantitative real time PCR; immunostaining; fluorescence/confocal microscopy; flow cytometry
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Strong IT skills and knowledge including experience with a range of laboratory software
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Effective written and verbal communication skills: report writing, delivering presentations, developing relationships and working successfully with collaborators and partners
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Excellent organisational and planning skills with the ability to prioritise and plan own workload to agreed protocols and deadlines
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving and adapt own skills to new circumstances
  • Essential
  • Application/interview
• Experience in qPCR, immunostaining, flow cytometry and fluorescence/confocal microscopy techniques
  • Desirable
  • Application/interview
• Experience in lab management
  • Desirable
  • Application/interview

Further Information

• Grade
  • 6
• Salary
  • £32,080 - £33,002 per annum
• Work arrangement
  • Full-time (35 hours per week)
• Duration
  • Fixed-term for 36 months from 1 January 2027 (or as soon as possible thereafter)
• Line manager
  • Senior Lecturer (Principal investigator)
• Direct reports
  • None
• Right to work in the UK
  • If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.
• Our website
  • School of Biosciences and Tsakiridis Lab
• For informal enquiries about this job contact: Anestis Tsakiridis (Senior Lecturer / Principal investigator) at [e-mail]

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks after the closing date. following interview of shortlisted candidates. This will consist of a short research presentation and an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [e-mail].

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date :15/09/2026

The University of Sheffield is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our staff and students. It is an offence to apply for this role if you have been barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Applicants will be subject to relevant safeguarding checks in line with the requirements of each role and the guidance from the Department for Education. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): - Childcare disqualification - Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - Medical - Online and social media - Eligibility to work - Satisfactory references - Suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Safeguarding policy Employment of ex-offenders policy