Research Associate – Cardiff School of Biosciences

We are looking for a Postdoctoral researcher to join the team of Dr Catherine Hogan in ECSCRI, School of Biosciences. The role will be focused on understanding the biology underpinning how adult pancreas tissues stay healthy following mutational insult and on how these mechanisms become dysregulated in early pancreatic cancer.

You will be working with in vivo mouse models of pancreatic cancer, fluorescence confocal microscopy, 2D and 3D tissue imaging and quantitative image analysis pipelines and spatial transcriptomics.

In this role, you will carry out:

• Cell fate mapping in adult murine pancreas tissues in 2D and 3D over time.
• Immunofluorescence labelling of mouse tissues using 2D and 3D protocols and confocal microscopy.
• Spatial transcriptomics.
• Quantitative image analyses.

We’d like to hear from you if you:

• Have experience in using mouse models of cancer.
• Have experience in preparing, imaging and analysing mammalian tissues using confocal microscopy and quantitative image analysis planforms.
• Have experience in the manipulation, analysis and interpretation of large biological datasets in different data formats. Spatial transcriptomics data analysis training will be provided.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication and team-working skills.

We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression. We are a proud Living Wage supporter.

This role is eligible to be offered on a blended working basis, meaning that as well as spending time working on campus you may spend some time working from another location, e.g. your home. The University is committed to offering this flexibility, wherever the role and business need allows, supporting work-life balance.

Please contact Dr Catherine Hogan (hoganc@cardiff.ac.uk) for an informal, confidential discussion about the role.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and fixed-term until November 2027.

Salary: £39,347 – £44,263 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Date advert posted: Thursday, 12 September 2024

Closing date: Thursday, 26 September 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment – Research – Cardiff University

Job Description

Main function

To conduct research within the field of adult pancreas tissue homeostasis and pancreatic cancer initiation and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main duties and responsibilities

Research

• To conduct research into understanding the molecular mechanisms and cell biology underpinning tissue health in adult pancreas tissues, and to decipher dysregulation of these mechanisms during cancer initiation.
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
• To work with all team members and deliver on all objectives outlined in funded project and in a timely manner.
• To manage and be responsible for mouse colonies.
• To communicate and disseminate research findings to project team (PI, Co-I and Team members) through regular meetings.
• To contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including publishing in international, high impact academic journals, present data at national/international conferences and local meetings as required.
• To assist in the supervision and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students in research skills/techniques.
• To review and synthesise existing research literature around the subject area.
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of current research projects, and to contribute to new project development.

Other

• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to, and which will enhance performance, including spatial transcriptomic and RNA sequencing data analysis training.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

IMPORTANT: EVIDENCING CRITERIA

The University uses the person specification as a key tool for shortlisting. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.

Please save your supporting statement in a separate document with the title [YOURNAME-BR NUMBER-JOB TITLE] and attach it to your application in the recruitment system, available here.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion) in a subject area related to the post, or relevant industrial experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience in:

• Epithelial tissue/cell biology.
• Mouse models of cancer.
• Immunostaining and tissue processing of mammalian tissues.
• Fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis.
• Generation, manipulation and/or analysis of large biological datasets.

3. Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field (epithelial cell biology, cancer initiation, cancer research).
4. Proven ability to publish in national/international journals, national/international conferences and/or other research outputs.
5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.

Communication and Team Working

6. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
7. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.

Other

8. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within a role.
9. Proven ability to work without close supervision.

Desirable Criteria

10. Experience with immunostaining and fluorescence imaging of 3D tissues.
11. Experience with statistical analysis software (e.g. Prism, SPSS).

Salary Range Min.

39,347

Salary Range Max.

44,263

Job Category

Academic – Research

Grade

Grade 6