Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution on a NC3Rs/CR-UK Partnership and Impact award, which aims to take a fully characterised humanised long-term ‘self-structuring bone model’ (SSBM) developed by Dr Naylor and adopt this model to look at cancer dormancy and bone metastasis, focusing on leukaemia and breast cancer as proof-of-principle. In particular, this project will focus on cell-to cell interactions and how the architecture of the endosteal ‘osteoblastic’ bone marrow niche becomes remodelled during malignancy. Cancer cell dormancy and bone metastasis are significant unmet clinical needs in the cancer field. The SSBM supports long-term monitoring enabling the mechanisms driving these processes to be identified and characterised. This will provide new knowledge, ultimately leading to targeted therapies and better outcomes for cancer patients in the future. This project will involve training in setting up the SSBM, incorporating and monitoring cancer cell behaviour and performing biological assays, working with Professor Helen Wheadon and Dr Amy Naylor. The successful candidate will also be expected to help manage and direct this work package and contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the

Principal/Co Investigator:

1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.

2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

3. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

4. Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

5. Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

6. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/group/meetings/seminars/workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.

7. Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

8. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

9. Carry out modest Teaching activities [e.g. demonstrating etc.] and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

10. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

11. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

12. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

13. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight a number of major tasks, which the staff member may be reasonably expected to perform.

Knowledge/Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge / Qualifications

Essential: 

A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 10 (Honours Degree). May be working towards post-graduate qualification such as a Masters (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 11) or PhD (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12). Or Equivalent professional qualifications in relevant academic/research discipline, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2  A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism (haematology/bone regeneration/breast cancer/leukaemia/cancer biology/tissue microenvironment/bioengineering research).

A3  Knowledge and understanding of applying 3R principles to research.

Desirable:

B1. An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent.

Skills

Essential: 

C1. Ability and experience of mammalian cell culture, cell lines, and primary cells from human.

C2. Ability and experience in experimental techniques such as immunofluorescent imaging, western blotting, molecular biology techniques, qRT-PCR, sequencing, proteomics, Luminex.

C3. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

C4. Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.

C5. Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

C6. Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills

C7. Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.

Desirable:

D1. Bioinformatics training.

D2. Understanding of intellectual property protection.

D3. Experience/knowledge of 3D culture systems, spheroid/organoid culture.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience/knowledge of flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy beyond single colour analysis.

E2. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

E3. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.

E4. Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project. objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.

E5. Experience in undertaking independent research.

Desirable:

F1. A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.

F2. An emerging national or international reputation in the field of haematology, leukaemia/cancer research, bone regeneration or bioengineering.

F3. A track record of winning research funding.

F4. Experience/Desire to be involved in Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) activities.

For informal enquiries regarding this post please contact Professor Helen Wheadon Helen.Wheadon@glasgow.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,232 - £33,882 per annum .

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 18 Months from start date

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

Closing date: 23:45 on 5 March 2025