Job Profile

Core job information
Job Title / PhD Studentship (Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher)
Dept./School/Inst. / William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI/SMD) / Section/Centre/Unit / Centre for Biochemical Pharmacology
Career Family / Academic & Education (Research) / Grade / Off-scale
Working hours per week / Full time (37.5 hours per week) / Appointment period / 3 years (36 months)
Reports to (job title) / Professor of Immunopharmacology
Dean of Research at SMD / Current location / Charterhouse Square
Job purpose
To contribute to research investigations in collaboration with and under the supervision of Prof. Mauro Perretti in order to realise the objectives and development of the Marie Curie European Innovative Training Network EVOluTION(European Vascular Interventions and Therapeutic Innovation Network).
The science of EVOluTION evolves around the innovative concept of boosting natural protectivemechanisms operating in our body, focusing on the vasculature, to answer 3 key questions: Can weexploit mediators and targets of endogenous tissue protection? Can we exploit these pathways toyield innovative therapeutic strategies? Can dietary approaches boost these endogenous protective processes?
EVOluTION is an interdisciplinary, inter-sectorial, and international consortium involving 5 leading academic institutions and 1SME, together with 6 Pharma and biotech companies, 1 Policy-maker, and 1 Patent & Trade firm, from 6 countries. It is expected that the role-holder will engage in network-wide training events, public engagement activities and international collaboration through secondments, at industrial or academic partner institutions within the UK and EU.
Objectives of the PhD position
The PhD position title is “Microparticles as natural nanomedicines to control vascular reactivity”. Microparticles are extracellular vesicles abundantly present in blood, bearing markers thatidentify the cell of origin (e.g. endothelial, neutrophil, monocyte, platelet). The concept of microparticleheterogeneity is emerging, whereby the same cell can produce microparticles with distinct components inrelation to the mode of activation. The objective is to study human monocyte-derived microparticles invitro mimicking events that occur in the inflamed vasculature. The role-holder will: 1) produce and characterise by ImageX™ cytometry, Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (Nanosight™)and sorting monocyte-derived microparticle markers upon application of distinct stimulants [Fc receptorligation; LTB4 and CCL2], 2) study dynamics of monocyte microparticle generation upon addition ofactivated platelets (with ADP or thromboxane receptor agonist), and 3) test the functions of microparticleswhen applied to endothelial cells under flow or to assays of platelet activation. Finally, s/he will 4) search for identified new subsets of monocyte microparticles in plasma samples of mice prone toatherosclerosis and vascular calcification.
Expected results of the PhD research project
The role-holder will identify subsets of monocyte-derived microparticles and establish their composition as well as their biology in assays relevant to vascular inflammation. Pinpoint subsets to be developed as autologous nanomedicines.
Secondments for the PhD research project
The role-holder will be seconded by University of Maastricht (2 months) to optimise separation assayswith beads loaded with specific antibody, by MosaMedix (Maastricht) (1 month) to be trainedon patent writing and filing to protect and benefit from inventions, and by UCD (Dublin) to perform proteomics of specific subsets of microparticles.
Requirements
Applicants will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as defined by the requirements set out by the UK Border and Immigration Agency.
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Please note there are strict *eligibility requirements* which apply to all Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Stage Researchers.At the time of the appointment:
Applicants must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before appointment under the project;
AND
Applicants shall also be in the first four years of their research careers at the time of appointment by the host organisation and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. For more information on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITNs), please see:
basic
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Requirements / Essential/Desirable
Qualifications /
  • Bachelor degree in Biomedical Sciences (preferable Pharmacology or equivalent)
/
  • Essential

  • Master degree in Pharmacology or equivalent
/
  • Desirable

  • Excellent command of the English language
/
  • Essential

Experience /
  • Laboratory activities (e.g. cell culture, cell separation, blotting)
/
  • Essential

  • Flow cytometry
/
  • Desirable

  • ImageStream™
/
  • Desirable

Knowledge, skills & abilities /
  • Knowledge of inflammation and vascular biology
/
  • Desirable

  • Knowledge of cell behaviour and reactivity
/
  • Essential

  • Knowledge of fundamental biology of white cells
/
  • Essential

  • Knowledge of micro RNA biology
/
  • Desirable

  • Quantification of mediators or proteins by Western blotting; real time PCR
/
  • Desirable

  • Ability to interpret the scientific literature and incorporate into project
/
  • Essential

  • Ability to organise and prioritise own work and organise research within the project timetable
/
  • Essential

  • Ability to maintain accurate and up to date records
/
  • Essential

  • Understanding of the research process
/
  • Essential

  • Computer literacy
/
  • Essential

  • Effective team working
/
  • Desirable

  • Good communication skills
/
  • Essential

  • Analytical skills
/
  • Essential

Attitude & disposition /
  • Flexible and co-operative
/
  • Essential

  • Good relationships with staff and to communicate effectively
/
  • Essential

  • Self-motivated and hardworking
/
  • Essential

  • Enquiring, critical approach to work
/
  • Essential

  • Willingness to learn new skills
/
  • Essential

  • Willing to travel and go on secondments
/
  • Essential

Other circumstances /
  • Willingness to work flexibly in order to achieve project demands and targets as agreed with Supervisor.
/
  • Essential

  • Able to travel to workshops and for research collaboration in other EU countries with notice.
/
  • Essential

Feedom to Act & Decision Making (depth of control, supervision received, use of judgement & initiative, analytical ability)
Working Environment
‐Contribute towards a research programme, EVOluTION, which has been conceived to better understand the multi-factorial nature ofdiseases and to offer new approaches based on instructing natural healing mechanisms of ourbody.
‐Responsible, under the general supervision of Prof. Mauro Perretti for undertaking the programme of work.
‐Any other relevant activities related to the project as appropriate.
‐Undertake such other duties as may be reasonably expected by the line manager or Head of Department.
‐Conduct empirical research as required by the research programme.
‐Collect data and undertake any appropriate analysis of data as requested. Provide and prepare data essential to the Supervisor in preparing publications and grant progress reports and, as appropriate, to jointly author with the Supervisor and other collaborators Investigator publications arising from the grant research.
‐Maintain appropriate databases, keeping accurate written and computerised records and to ensure that these records are stored in a secure place, and to maintain confidentiality of all electronically stored personal data in line with the provisions of the Data Protection Act.
‐Undertake literature and database searches for the research project, and to be able to interpret and present the findings of the literature searches and advise the research teams appropriately regarding potential projects as required by the line manager/supervisor/PI.
‐Keep up to date with subject related and professional issues, in particular, developments in the specific subject area.
‐Comply with relevant College policies and regulations with due regard to financial matters, harassment, equal opportunities, public interest disclosure, health and safety, intellectual property and patenting, data protection or any other rules, regulations or codes binding on the member of staff.
‐Participate in the College Appraisal Scheme (QMPAS) and demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development.
‐To show a professional attitude to matters of laboratory hygiene, organisation and safety, and to observe and to take an active role in fulfilling all statutory health and safety regulations.
‐The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive, and the post-holder will be expected to be co-operative and flexible, undertaking such administrative and other duties as may from time to time be reasonably expected of a member of research grade staff in a university.
‐These duties will be subject to review in line with the changing requirements of the School or College, and with the development needs of the post-holder as identified through regular review/appraisal processes.
Freedom to Act & Decision Making
‐Collaborate with other members of the research group on the research project.
‐Develop, in collaboration with the Supervisor, such new techniques as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of the research.
‐Make research contributions to the research programme wherever possible, and to contribute freely to the team research environment in a manner conducive to the success of the research project as a whole.
‐Monitor research findings with a view to commercial exploitation, and to inform the Head of Department (or line manager, as appropriate) and Head of Innovation & Enterprise of any appropriate novel research outcomes.
‐Judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require analysis, interpretation and comparison of data or any other information.
‐To adopt flexible working practices where required.
‐Encourage interaction between team members.
Communication & Networking
‐Attend regular meetings with the Supervisor and supervisory panel.
‐Undertake certain communal responsibilities, the nature of which will be discussed and agreed by the Line manager/supervisor/PI, but which may need to be changed from time to time during the course of the project.
‐Exchange relevant information, relevant to the project both internally and externally: with staff, students, senior management and peers.
Internal
‐Establish and maintain relationships in order to collaborate with researchers and academics in own team, within the department and outside the department within the College when necessary.
‐Work with students.
External
‐Work with industrial and/or academic collaborators as agreed with the Supervisors.
‐Work with other ESRs within EVOluTION.
Finance/Resource Management
N/A
People Management
N/A
This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.

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