Senior Tissue Culture Technician (Cardiff)

Vacancy Reference Number
13950BR
Closing Date
11 May 2022
Salary
£22,847 - £27,116 per annum, pro rata for hours worked (Grade 4)
Address
UK DRI at Cardiff University
Duration
This post is part-time (28 hours per week), fixed term until 31 March 2023 and is available immediately.

About the job

Dementia is the greatest health challenge of our century. To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it. The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap.

The UK DRI at Cardiff is one of 7 UK centres bringing together world-leading scientists to deliver a step-change in the scientific understanding of dementia, generating new targets for drug development, reinvigorating the therapeutic pipeline and helping to transform care.

A position is available for a senior tissue culture technician in the group of Dr Natalie Connor-Robson, UK DRI at Cardiff. The post holder will provide comprehensive technical support for the maintenance and differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models for studying Alzheimer’s Disease.

Dr Connor-Robson’s work centers on the use of cutting edge iPSC models to study neurodegenerative diseases. We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic laboratory technician who will provide technical support for the growth, maintenance, and differentiation of iPSC cultures. The successful candidate will provide practical day to day assistance with cultures and phenotypic assays whilst also ensuring reagents, media and other materials are prepared to appropriate standards.  Expertise in mammalian cell culture and/or iPSC culture is desirable.

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is a joint £290 million investment from the Medical Research Council (MRC), Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Centred on the need for innovative, early-stage science to advance our understanding of how dementias develop and progress, the UK DRI’s research will bring new therapies to patients faster. The Institute’s mission is to find new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent dementias, whilst finding better ways to provide care for people with dementia.

Job Purpose: to provide a comprehensive technical support for the maintenance and differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models for studying Alzheimer’s Disease.

 

Key Duties

  • To support a programme of research by growing and maintaining iPSC cultures.
  • To carry out and maintain iPSC differentiations to neuronal and microglial cultures.
  • To maintain growth factor stocks for iPSC culture.
  • To follow established guidelines in training technical staff and students in technical procedures and in the use of equipment.
  • To set up experimental systems and research apparatus, assisting students and staff in the use and construction of equipment and apparatus and with tests and experiments.
  • To operate, maintain, service, adjust, test and repair complex equipment and apparatus.
  • To take responsibility for stock levels, security, maintenance and cleanliness of materials, apparatus and equipment within work area.
  • To record and perform detailed analysis on data, including taking responsibility for maintaining databases.
  • To undertake reviews of technical processes and procedures, in collaboration with line management, and advise on options for improvement.
  • To support the Institute and Division in the implementation of new procedures and systems.

 

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications and Education

  • NVQ 3/A-Levels or equivalent qualification/work related experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

  • Expertise with culture of mammalian cell lines and demonstrable competence with aseptic technique.
  • Knowledge of iPSCs and iPSC culture techniques.
  • Ability to set up and review standard technical processes and procedures and recommend improvements to the service provision as appropriate.

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working

  • Ability to communicate specialist and complex information effectively and professionally to a range of customers with varying levels of understanding.
  • Experience of supervising the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.
  • Ability to train technical staff in laboratory procedures and in the use of equipment and instruments.

Planning, Analysis and Problem Solving

  • Evidence of ability to solve problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose practical solutions and to resolve problems where there are a range of potential options available.
  • Proven ability to work on own initiative, planning, organising and setting priorities for own work appropriately and to plan and manage small projects.

Desirable Criteria:

  • Degree in biological sciences or equivalent work related experience.
  • Experience of growing and maintaining iPSC cultures.
  • Experience of iPSC neuronal and/or microglial differentiations.
  • Experience of immunocytochemistry techniques and fluorescent microscopy.
  • Experience of molecular biology techniques e.g. Western blot, qPCR.
  • Proven ability to work without close supervision.

 

For informal enquiries regarding this vacancy please contact connor-robsonnl@cardiff.ac.uk