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View Vacancy -- Research Assistants – Chemistry & Oligonucleotide Development - NATA 2464
The Medical Research Council (MRC), as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has invested a £30m over 4 years through the Strategic Priorities Fund to establish a nucleic acid therapy accelerator (NATA) that will support state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research to solve critical issues in nucleic acid drug development, through focused NATA research challenges and a NATA infrastructure hub.
The NATA will focus on building internal chemistry, biology and operational capabilities at the hub while catalysing collaborative R&D activity to tackle significant barriers facing oligonucleotide therapy manufacturing and delivery. This investment will support capacity building in terms of equipment, upskilling and domain expertise that will be essential in developing critical mass to catalyse and de-risk the development of next generation nucleic acid therapeutics.
We have two Research Assistant roles which will be key members of the NATA Chemistry Team supporting the synthesis and development of nucleic acid therapeutics / new therapeutic oligonucleotides for various translational and collaborative projects. You will be involved in either the operation of oligonucleotide synthesizers or developing novel chemistry associated with oligonucleotides. They will also perform analytical techniques to analyse the identity, purity and quality of generated products. The individual will work with other chemistry and biology team members to ensure smooth running of the NATA projects.
Main Responsibilities
- Take a proactive approach to learning and implementing new techniques and methods related to nucleic acid chemistry/ oligonucleotide chemistry, synthesis and analysis.
- Assist in the synthesis, purification, and analysis of nucleic acid therapeutics/ oligonucleotide therapeutics.
- Troubleshoot and support procedures and instrumentation.
- Assist in managing instruments, reagents, and chemical resources efficiently.
- Provide support in undertaking lab duties such as lab and equipment maintenance, H&S administration, inventory, databases, and SOPs.
- Keep excellent scientific records and implement databases.
- Present work internally and contribute to lab meetings.
- Maintain a good knowledge of the relevant literature.
Essential selection criteria
Qualifications:
- For Chemistry Research Assistant -Hold a Masters degree in chemistry or near completion.
- For Oligonucleotide Development Research Assistant - Hold a degree in chemistry or a related field.
Other criteria:
- Experience in a chemistry laboratory, performing synthetic organic chemistry or oligonucleotide synthesis.
- Expertise in analytical chemistry, organic chemistry or nucleic acid chemistry.
- Experience in HPLC purification systems and knowledge of LC-MS analysis of molecules.
- Experience in data analysis, interpretation and the ability to maintain scientific records.
- High level of motivation and drive with the ability to multi-task, prioritise work effectively and a willingness to learn.
- Good time management and punctuality.
- Organised, diligent with a strong eye for detail and regard for data integrity.
- Excellent communication skills, effective engagement with colleagues, collaborators and ability to work as part of a team.
Desirable selection criteria
- Interdisciplinary interests with an emphasis on biology.
- Knowledge of solid phase synthesis. (oligonucleotides or peptides)
- Experience in large data set analysis and database management.
- High level of computer literacy.
- Working and adhering to quality systems or experience in GMP/GLP.
The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council.
In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
This opportunity is closed to applications.