Job Profile

Job Title / Postdoctoral Research Fellow- Cell & Molecular Biology (scFv)
Dept./School/Inst. / William Harvey Research Institute / Section/Centre/Unit / Experimental Medicine & Rheumatology
Career Family / Academic & Education / Grade / 5
Working hours per week / 35 / Appointment period / 3 Years
Reports to (job title) / Head of Centre / Current location / Charterhouse Square
Job purpose
To contribute to the delivery of high-quality research under the supervision of the Head of Centre in order to realise the research objectives of the Centre for Experimental Medicine & Rheumatology (EMR).
To contribute to the overall scientific endeavour of the Centre, and to take responsibility for areas of several of the current projects, as demand requires, and may also be given the opportunity to develop novel drug delivery strategies.
The principle aim of the project is to develop the single chain (sc) variable antibody fragment scFv-A7 (previously identified in the Department and IP protected) as a tool for tissue specific drug delivery and disease tissue imaging. The specific objectives are:
  1. Identification of scFv-A7 target antigen.
  2. Development of scFv-A7 as a novel recombinant antibody-based biotherapeutic for ligand based targeted therapy of RA.
A key element of this work is to circumvent the adverse biological effects observed in systemic administration of the current biologics by generating a bispecific scFv antibody (Bs-scFv) composed of scFv-A7 and a second scFv encoding binding to TNF-lpha or other specific pathogenic targets.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Requirements / Essential/Desirable
Qualifications /

PhD or equivalent qualification

Undergraduate degree in relevant subject or equivalent qualification /

Essential

Essential
Experience / Demonstrable experience in the design and execution of bio molecular research studies with an appropriate publication record. This should include good understanding and working practice of:
Tissue culture (immortalised human & mouse cell lines)
•Cell adhesion assays
•Flow cytometry
•Recombinant protein production (E.coli and mammalian cell systems)
•Affinity chromatography
•Immunocytochemistry, fluorescence microscopy
  • SDS-PAGE, Western Blotting
  • Quantitative competitive inhibition ELISA
•Screening of scFv antibody fragment libraries by phage display
•Basic molecular biology/cloning techniques
•Site-directed mutagenesis, DNA sequencing / Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Addition desirable experience include:
  • Animal Experience
  • Use of MicroPET small animal imaging system
  • Retroviral transduction of mammalian cells
  • ELISA to analyse antibody/protein binding
  • Structure-based design of high-affinity antibodies
  • Use of BIAcore technology
  • Antibody radiolabelling (I-125) and analysis of serum stability in vitro
  • Biodistribution in vivo of radiolabelled antibodies
/ Desirable
Desirable
Desirable
Desirable
Desirable
Desirable
Desirable
Desirable
Knowledge, skills & abilities / Evidence of ongoing self motivated research activity at a high level
Good understanding of laboratory methods required to perform a broad range of cell and molecular technologies including recombinant antibody engineering and protein identification.
Strong background through achievement in the field of cell and molecular biology.
Ability to collect, analyse, and interpret data resulting from experiments in the biological context relevant to this project. / Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Attitude & disposition / Flexible and co-operative
Self-motivated and hardworking
Ability to play a collaborative role in applying for grant funding for research as appropriate to discipline
Presentation of specialist material in a logical, coherent and interesting manner, both to students and to fellow specialists
Willingness to learn new skills / Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Other circumstances / Willingness to work flexibly in order to achieve project demands. / Essential
Main Duties and Responsibilities of the Role
Specific Duties
  1. The post-holder will develop and assist in the delivery of the main aim of the project as described above.
General Duties
To assist in the running of the laboratory where required and to perform appropriate laboratory duties and to assist in the training of other laboratory workers.
  1. To execute experiments.
  2. To collect and analyse data.
  3. To maintain appropriate databases, keeping accurate written and computerised records and to ensure that these records are stored in a secure place, and to maintain confidentially of all electronically stored personal data in line with the provisions of the Data Protection Act.
  4. To make research initiatives and original 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.
  5. To prepare reports and scientific publications to disseminate results from the programme of research.
  6. To attend and participate in the Centre’s academic activities, eg laboratory and journal club meetings.
  7. To undertake literature searches to explore potential research projects, and to be able to interpret and present the findings of the literature searches and advise the research teams appropriately regarding potential projects.
  8. To supervise and train where necessary new members of the research team.
10. To ensure that the research project complies with ethics regulations.
  1. To assist in drafting budgets and applications for potential research projects and grants.
  2. To keep up to date with scientific and professional issues, in particular developments in the specific subject area.
  3. To undertake certain communal laboratory responsibilities (including washing and cleaning duties), the nature of which will be discussed and agreed prior to commencement of the post, but which may need to be changed from time to time during the course of the project.
  4. 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.
  5. To be aware of own limitations and refer problems to the appropriate person.
Other
  1. To ensure that all research is undertaken according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), College and Trust protocols.
  2. To ensure they are fully aware of and comply with the College’s/Trust’s policies and procedures in relation to confidentiality, health and safety at work, COSHH regulations, infection control, safe handling of drugs, and all local safety rules regarding fire, chemical, radioisotope and gene manipulation hazards.
  3. The postholder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the College's Equal Opportunities policy.
  4. The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive, and the postholder 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 Centre, Institute, School or College, and with the development needs of the postholder as identified through regular review/appraisal processes.
Working Environment
Contribute towards the scientific research output of the Centre for Experimental Medicine & Rheumatology (EMR).
Responsible, under the general guidance of the Line Manager/Supervisor/PI, for undertaking the programme of work.
Prepare reports of appropriate research results for public presentation through seminars and conferences. Contribute to writing papers summarising research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals (of high international standing where possible). Contribute to other reports where possible.
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.
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.
The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive, and the postholder 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 postholder as identified through regular review/appraisal processes.
Freedom to Act & Decision Making
Responsible, under the general guidance of the Line Manager/Supervisor/PI, for undertaking the programme of work.
Develop, in collaboration with the Principal Investigator/line manager/supervisor, such new techniques as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of the research.
Make research initiatives and original 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.
Assist in the supervision of student projects, as necessary.
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
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.
To work with students.
External
Work with external collaborators as agreed with the Supervisors.
Providing, receiving and presenting complex information to a large group of people.
Finance/Resource Management
n/a
People Management
Where appropriate to assist the supervision, training, expert advice and / or assistance to new members of the team, research students.
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.
Organisation Chart