The Role
We are currently seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join our Structural Biology theme at the Rosalind Franklin Institute. The structural neurobiology group is building tools to be able to image the molecules of disease in their native context, bringing structural biology techniques into the analysis of (brain) tissue. The post is funded by Wellcome, through a project aimed at applying volumetric and electron imaging to enable molecular-scale imaging of disease. Your role will be to support and develop approaches for the growth and manipulation of tissues for subsequent analysis by fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electron cryo-tomography.

Working with collaborators at University College London, University of Oxford, and the MRC Mary Lyon Centre, you will aid in the preparation of brain slices for organotypic maintenance of mouse and human tissues, aid in the development of molecular biology tools and be responsible for upkeep of this workflow in partnership with colleagues. You will also help in maintaining lab organisation.

Your primary task will be to maintain and (with colleagues) develop organotypic tissue culture models using recombinant AAVs to target disease relevant hallmarks within tissues from mouse brain. You will help with lab organisation and upkeep, and work closely with colleagues to prepare tissues from mouse and human sources for further processing by multi-modal imaging. You will contribute to the wider positive culture in the group and will be expected to contribute intellectually to its development.

About You
Candidates must hold a graduate level qualification/B.Sc (or equivalent experience) in Biology, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Medicine, or another relevant subject. A master’s degree would be beneficial but not essential. We are looking for a colleague with strong organisational and communication skills, and with demonstrated laboratory experience. Experience with formulating research questions and devising strategies to address these questions would aid the individual selected for this role. This post would be ideal for a candidate who has developed an understanding of basic laboratory techniques (cell culture, tissue culture, molecular biology) and would like to gain further experience in cutting edge techniques in the in-situ structural biology field. The ideal candidate would be able to adapt to sample preparation requirements, have good inter-personal skills and be willing to aid researchers in difficult state of the art techniques.

About us
The Rosalind Franklin Institute is a new national Research Centre, funded by the UK government through UK Research and Innovation, dedicated to bringing about transformative changes in life science through interdisciplinary research and technology.

Location: The Franklin is based in Harwell Campus, UK’s innovation hub and well-established as one of the leading science and innovation campuses in Europe.

Before submitting your application please ensure you read the Job Information Pack for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment at the bottom of this page

Closing date: 9th January 2023 at 09:00am

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