RECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORM - Nottingham



UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAMRECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORMJob Title: Research Associate/Research Fellow in Stem Cell Biology School/Department: School of Medicine, Division of Cancer & Stem CellsSalary:?25,769 - ?37,768 per annum, depending on skills and experience (?28,982 minimum with a PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performanceJob Family and Level:Research & Teaching Level 4CTG/4Contract Status: Fixed-term contract for a period of 3 years (if start date is between 1 April 2016 and 30 June 2016).?Hours of Work:Full timeLocation:University ParkReporting to:Lecturer in Stem Cell BiologyThe Purpose of the New Role: The project will recruit a talented, proactive postdoctoral researcher working on an exciting project funded by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, (BBSRC). The project will combine stem cell biology, genome-scale chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), deep-sequencing based analyses of DNA methylation and the oxidized forms of 5-methylcytosine (5hmC, 5fC and 5caC), differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs), bioinformatics, cell phenotyping and Cas9/CRISPR gene targeting to address a workplan entitled, “Studying potential interplay between active demethylation and WT1-dependent transcriptional regulation during glial differentiation”.This post will be based in Nottingham but will collaborate extensively with the laboratory of Professor Nicholas Hastie in Edinburgh (for WT1 knockout-based experiments and WT1 chromatin immunoprecipitation). This project will be focused on studying the function and genomic distribution of Wilms Tumour protein 1 (WT1) and the oxidized forms of 5-methylcytosine (oxi-mCs) during glial differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs). This will allow a workplan to be addressed as summarised here:Our previous results suggest that both active demethylation and 5caC-dependent transcriptional regulation are involved in epigenetic reprogramming taking place during lineage specification of NSCs. WT1 protein has also been recently implicated into both recruiting Tet proteins to their target sequences and specific recognition of 5caC-containing DNA substrates. Moreover, our pilot experiments revealed that WT1 regulates the same key glial markers which transiently accumulate 5caC in differentiating NSCs. The aim of this project is to acquire a mechanistic insight into the roles of Tet-dependent DNA demethylation and WT1 transcriptional regulation and their potential interplay during glial differentiation. Specifically, we will determine the distribution of oxi-mCs during glial differentiation and potential dependence of active demethylation on recruiting Tet proteins by WT1, compare the patterns of genomic distribution of WT1 with those of oxi-mCs in differentiating NSCs addressing the possibility that this transcriptional factor directly interacts with 5caC-enriched DNA and identify potential impacts of Tet-dependent 5mC oxidation and WT1 transcriptional regulation on glial differentiation. Understanding the roles of both DNA demethylation and WT1 in glial differentiation would have multiple implications for basic research in the fields of epigenetics, developmental biology, neuroscience, regenerative medicine and cancer biology.The successful candidate will combine excellence in research, collaboration, communication and meeting deadlines with knowledge of one or more of these areas. These will include the areas listed below but demonstration of skills in any of the first 5 areas will be advantageousExperience in stem cell biology and/or neuroscienceBioinformatics and analyses of deep sequencing-generated dataEpigenetics and DNA methylationExperience with the Cas9/CRISPR system Neural stem cells and/or glial differentiation Analyses of function/distribution of transcriptional factors (e.g. ChIP) Developmental biology;Main Responsibilities % time 1.Work collaboratively within a team at the University of Nottingham, and with academic partners in Nottingham and Edinburgh (UK). The emphasis of this post will be on studying the function and genomic distribution of Wilms Tumour protein 1 (WT1) and oxi-mCs during glial differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs). This will include genome-scale chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of WT1, deep-sequencing based analyses of DNA methylation and oxi-mCs, differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs), bioinformatics, cell phenotyping and Cas9/CRISPR gene targeting.70%2.Prepare data, reports and presentations for project meetings held between the partners. The candidate will excel and achieving milestones / deadlines, which will be continuously evaluated and reported to the funder. 10%3.The post will be required to travel to between partners to learn skills, transfer technologies and promote knowledge exchange between partners. 10%4.Contribute to day to day development and running of the Ruzov Group, and to manuscript preparation and conference presentations10%5.You are expected to make a contribution to teaching that is in balance with wider contributions to research and other activities.Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & ExperienceEssentialDesirableQualifications/ EducationNearing completion of a PhD or holding a PhD in Biological Sciences or Engineering equivalentSkills/TrainingThe successful candidate will combine excellence in research, collaboration, communication and meeting deadlines with knowledge of one or more of these areas. These will include the areas listed below but demonstration of skills in any of the first 5 areas will be advantageousExperience in stem cell biology and/or neuroscience;Bioinformatics and analyses of deep sequencing-generated data;Epigenetics and DNA methylation;Experience with the Cas9/CRISPR system; Neural stem cells and/or glial differentiation; Analyses of function/distribution of transcriptional factors (e.g. ChIP); Developmental biology; Evidence of combining excellence in research, collaboration, communication and meeting deadlines Ability for independent and flexible thinking.Ability to present to scientific and lay audiencesProven ability to teach, e.g. to PhD or Masters levels studentsEvidence of excellence within the field, such as awards and prizes OtherWillingness to adopt the Ethos and Principles of the School of Medicine to improve the student experience.Scope of the RoleTo undertake research and day-day management of a research project that requires a high degree of competence in one or more of the research areas listed above. An aptitude for critical thinking and a flexible approach to collaborative research is critical, since the project will interact with several academic partners. The successful candidate will be frequently required to work seven days a week to maintain cell cultures and this will play a major role in ensuring the success of the project. They will also be expected to make a significant contribution to the Stem Cell Biology Group via management, training and co-ordination of specific initiatives. If they wish, they will also be able to contribute to occasional teaching to the MSc Stem Cell TechnologyAdditional InformationThe post advertised will be based in Nottingham’s Wolfson Centre for Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering and Modelling (STEM), which houses a purpose-built stem cell culture suite and state of the art facilities. STEM promotes a multidisciplinary research ethos, where biologists, mathematicians and tissue engineers regularly integrate in a creative and internationally-competitive research environment. The postholder will be encouraged to enrol in appropriate management and personal development training programmes run through the University’s Staff and Educational Development rmal enquiries should be directed to Alexey.Ruzov@nottingham.ac.uk but applications must be made through the online system.Appendix 1The University of NottinghamThe University of Nottingham is a global-leading, research-intensive university with campuses in the UK, Malaysia and China. Our reputation for world-class research has yielded major scientific breakthroughs such as Nobel-winning MRI techniques, drug discovery, food technologies and engineering solutions for future economic, social and cultural progress.Already ranked among the UK’s elite universities and global polls for research excellence, our reputation for world-class research has been further enhanced with the 2014 results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF). In addition to scoring highly in quality rankings covering major disciplines in science, engineering, the social sciences, medicine, business and the arts, it is Nottingham’s research power rankings which demonstrate the impressive volume of excellent research which is carried out. We are now ranked 8th in the UK on a measure of ‘research power’ which takes into account both the quality of research and the number of research-active staff who made REF returns, confirming Nottingham’s place in the top tier of the world’s elite higher education institutions. The main University campus is set beside a lake, in an extensive belt of woodland, parks and playing fields. The 330 acre University Park Campus is the focus of life for more than 32,000 students and houses the majority of the University’s academic schools and many of the central Services. The Jubilee campus is situated 2 miles away from the University Park, and provides extra capacity. The University Medical School is situated next to the University Park. Together with the University Hospital, it forms the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).University of Nottingham Medical SchoolNottingham has a strong reputation for both clinical medicine and teaching. As one of the most popular medical schools in the country, it is able to select excellent students and produce and attract good junior doctors. The School of Medicine comprises the Divisions of Cancer and Stem Cell Sciences, Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Clinical Neuroscience; Epidemiology and Public Health; Primary Care; Psychiatry and Applied Psychology; Rehabilitation and Ageing; Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine; Respiratory Medicine; Rheumatology, Orthopaedics and Dermatology and the Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre. The School also hosts the School of Medicine Education Centre, the Centre for Interprofessional Education and Learning, the Clinical Research Facility, the Clinical Skills Centre, NIHR design Service East Midlands, Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, PRIMIS and Medical Imaging Unit.The School of Medicine brings together in one School staff undertaking research for the benefit of the health of patients. It includes all primary care and hospital-based medical and surgical disciplines, principally in the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital Nottingham Campuses, Royal Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and also at the University’s main campus and at the King’s Meadow and Jubilee Campuses. Most of our School’s Senior Researchers and Teachers are also clinicians who dedicate 50% of their time to patient care within the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust & Royal Derby Hospitals NHS Trust. This close juxtaposition brings cutting-edge clinical care to our patients and clinical relevance to our research and teaching. We are closely integrated with our full time NHS clinical colleagues, many of whom are themselves leaders in research and teaching and who work closely with the University and this increases the mutual benefit from integration between the University and NHS.Mission:Our mission is to improve human health and quality of life locally, nationally and internationally through outstanding education, research and patient care.Priorities:Teaching and learning, particularly training tomorrow’s doctors and teaching specialised postgraduates Research and research training: We will perform and support the highest quality “big” research which impacts on human health and disease Partnership with the NHS and other healthcare providers Visibility and profile of the School of Medicine: We will do what we do better, and we will tell others about itEthos and principles:Having people and patients at the heart of all we do: our teaching and learning, our research and our patient care Contribution within the School of Medicine and to society beyond our immediate roles; helpfulness and service Openness and fairness, with particular emphasis on communication (both internal and external) and on equality and diversity among students and staff Personal and group responsibility for all aspects of our work, within a culture of opportunity and rewardOur research spans 11 major themes, ranging from cancer to vascular medicine.?We work closely with industry and the NHS. Our world-leading research ranges from basic and translational science through to clinical trials, epidemiology, and health services research. Our clear theme is improving human health, underpinning a vibrant postgraduate research training programme leading to PhD or DM. Many of our academics are clinicians, using their expertise to provide cutting edge specialised treatment to NHS patients; reflecting our ethos that patients are at the heart of all we do.In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework the four Units of Assessment included in the School of Medicine were among the six most improved in the whole University since RAE 2008: 82% of our research in 2014 was graded as world-leading or internationally excellent. Our research spans 11 major themes and ranges from basic and translational science through to clinical trials, epidemiology, and health services research. We work closely with industry and the NHS. Our research is underpinned by a strong postgraduate research training programme leading to PhD or DM. Our major research themes are in Cancer and Stem Cells; Child Health, Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Clinical Neurosciences; Dermatology; Digestive Diseases; Epidemiology and Public Health; Mental Health; Musculoskeletal physiology and disease; Primary Care; Rehabilitation and Ageing; Respiratory Medicine; and Renal MedicineThe School of Medicine trains tomorrow’s doctors on a vibrant undergraduate medical course with a unique intercalated BMedSci, as well in a specialised graduate-entry programme built around clinical problem solving. We teach medicine and related disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. We have a dedicated clinical academic training programme and are committed to training PhD and doctoral research students and to supporting postdoctoral clinicians and scientists in their research.? The School of Medicine holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, technology, engineering, medicine and mathematics (STEMM). The award reflects our commitment to promoting equality and diversity. Please see . Professor Tony Avery is Dean of the School of Medicine.For further information, please see our website Department of Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering and Modelling (STEM) comprises a team of successful, young scientists with an interest in combining a range of state-of-the-art technologies to further key basic questions and biomedical goals utilizing stem cell systems. The academics comprise the Stem Cell Biology Group, Tissue Engineering Group and the Mathematical Modelling Group. STEM academics are highly research active and have a current grant holding in excess of ?10m. Academics within STEM were instrumental in winning a ?6.5m Doctoral Training Centre Award held between Nottingham, Loughborough and Keele Universities, which is in the final stages of training 50 PhD students over the a 5 year period (2009-2014). This award has been renewed for another 5 year period from 2015-2020. The same University partners have also received funding for a ?6.3m EPSRC Centre in Regenerative Medicine. The Stem Cell Biology group is within the Division of Cancer & Stem Cells and forms part of the School of Medicine (nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/research/themes/cancer-and-stem-cells/index.aspx). Professor Chris Denning is applying his expertise in genetic modification and gene targeting to human embryonic / induced pluripotent stem cells, particularly to establish novel human disease models / methods for translational approaches such as drug development. He is a partner in the ?2.5m British Heart Foundation Centre for Regenerative Medicine that is held jointly with Imperial College London. Dr Virginie Sottile investigates the in vitro differentiation properties of both neural and mesenchymal stem cells, as well as their differentiation in situ upon transplantation into the chick embryo. Dr. Alexey Ruzov investigates how epigenetic modifications such as 5-hydroxymethylcytosine regulate cell fate and development. During 2014-16, a two-phase recruitment process will add 4 staff from Lecturer to Professor level to this department. New academic appointees to the department include Dr. Nick Hannan (from University of Cambridge; started on 1st July 2015) to lead a programme on hPSC differentiation in lung and gut lineages. Dr. Cathy Merry (from University of Manchester; started on 1st Sept 2015) will bring her programme on Glucosaminoglycans (GAGs). During 2015/16 we will recruit a further Associate Professor and a Full Professor to the growing department. Included within the Tissue Engineering Group are Professor Kevin Shakesheff, who combines the incorporation of biomolecules into novel scaffold materials for regeneration of tissues such as liver and bone (nottingham.ac.uk/pharmacy/research/ddte/index.aspx). Kevin is also pioneering the use of supercritical fluids to enhance cell survival on synthetic polymers. He is lead in the ?3.5m MRC Regenerative Medicine Hub for Accelular Technologies. Dr Felicity Rose focuses on the tissue engineering of intestinal, bone and cartilage tissue using a variety of scaffolds and bioreactor systems and is also engineering wound repair systems for corneal transplants. Dr Lee Buttery is investigating the engineering of scaffolds to improve both 3D differentiation and clinical delivery of both fetal osteoblasts and osteogenic progenitors derived from embryonic stem cells.The application of mathematical modelling to regenerative medicine systems is a major interest of Profs John King, Marcus Owen and Simon Preston. Collectively, their interests within Centre for Mathematical Medicine & Biology () include development and validation of mathematical models for tissue growth, cell signalling and differentiation. FacilitiesHoused within the purpose-built laboratories and offices of the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences building, STEM is directly linked to the University Medical School, Fertility Clinic and Clinical Grade Stem Cell & Tissue Processing Laboratory. STEM scientists also have a close proximity with physical scientists, including electrical / optical / manufacturing engineers, polymer biologists, chemists, physicists etc. STEM has fully equipped molecular biology laboratories that are complimented by dedicated facilities for radioisotope studies, for chick embryo incubation, for bacterial culture, for tissue dissection/preparation, for PCR set-up and in situ hybridization, for histology/ immunocytochemistry and for cell imaging. In addition, the culture suite is one of the best in an academic institution within the UK if not Europe and has 21 class II culture hoods dedicated to human stem cell culture, imaging and manipulation. Our most recent acquisitions of a bespoke ?1m stem cell culture & differentiation robot, automated Patchliner electrophysiology, CardioXcyte impedance system and an Operetta high content confocal plate imager. These have been acquired through grants including a ?1.3m BBSRC industrial partnership award with Syngenta, a ?2.3m EPSRC award and a ?715K MRC award. The tissue engineering laboratories include a supercritical fluid laboratory and state of the art facilities for scaffold bioengineering. Complimentary computing facilities and IT support are available, with dedicated computing laboratories for our mathematical modellers. Between the 3 major University hospital sites, the Medical School offers a full range of clinical departments and clinical academics. Elsewhere in the University, a new Veterinary School at the Sutton Bonington campus provides additional opportunities for collaboration.TeachingIn 2007, STEM started the world’s first taught Masters Course in Stem Cell Technology. This course has a capacity for 16 students each year, who typically comprise 6 from the UK and 10 internationals. It has attracted funding from BBSRC for 12 Scholarships (2007-2010) and 12 from MRC (2009-2012). The course comprises 6 Modules, which include 1, Cell & Developmental Molecular Biology; 2, Pluripotent Stem Cells; 3, Adult Stem Cells; 4, Translation Technologies for Stem Cells; 5, Transferrable Skills; 6, a 3 month Summer Research Project. More details can be found at 2NottinghamCentral within the East Midlands, Nottingham is a vibrant and prosperous city with something to offer everyone. It is one of the UK’s leading retail centres and has a huge variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs which attract people from all over the UK. Culturally, it has good theatres, an arena which attracts both national and international performers and a range of historical interests relating to subjects such as the lace industry, Lord Byron and DH Lawrence. Nottingham is also known for sport, being the home of Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Forest and Notts County Football Clubs, the National Water Sports Centre and the Nottingham Tennis Centre. There is a good network of roads with easy access to the M1 and the A1, a fast frequent rail service to London and other major cities. Nottingham East Midlands Airport is only eighteen miles away. The city is set within a county of outstanding natural beauty which includes Sherwood Forest, Wollaton Park, lively market towns and wonderful historic buildings. Housing is relatively inexpensive and, in addition to the two Universities, there are excellent schools and colleges available.To find out more about Nottingham, use the following links:Nottingham County Council – Tourism University of Nottingham Zoopla (Guide to local properties) Nottingham (information on schools, term dates, school transport etc.) ................
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