JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Research Associate
Division:
National Heart and Lung Institute
Section:
Myocardial Function
Job Family and Level:
Academic and Research, Level B
Salary:
£32,750 - £33,590 per annum
Responsible to:
Dr Alexander Lyon and Dr Cesare Terracciano
Works Closely with:
Professor Godfrey Smith, Professor Molly Stevens
and other Members of British Heart Foundation (BHF)
Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of
Materials, Bioengineering Imperial College London
Funding:
British Heart Foundation
Contract:
Full-time and fixed-term initially for 2 years
Location:
Hammersmith Campus
Summary of the Post
The project concerns the electrophysiological impact of inducible pluripotent stem cell
delivery and engraftment into the failing heart in vivo, and the potential arrhythmogenic
effects of substrate modification by cell or engineered tissue engraftment, using various
whole heart optical imaging technologies uniquely available in our laboratory.
Comparison of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes in suspension and engineered tissue
constructs will be performed in collaboration with Professor Molly Stevens and the
Bioengineering dept at Imperial College London.
Background Information
The BHF recently awarded funding to Imperial College London to establish a Centre for
Regenerative Medicine, starting in October 2013. The Centre is led by Professor Sian
Harding, and will study induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), a type of stem cell created
from patients’ own cells, as well as naturally occurring stem cells inside the heart and
how they could be turned into a regenerative treatment. The Imperial team will work in
collaboration with scientists at the Universities of Westminster, Nottingham, Glasgow
and UKE Hamburg.
Key Responsibilities
The post is funded by the British Heart Foundation Centre for Regenerative Medicine to
investigate the electrophysiological sequelae of iPSC-derived CM implantation into the
failing myocardium, comparison between cell suspension and engineered grafts.
Specifically the impact of implantation in disease heart models upon the
electrophysiological substrate and ventricular arrhythmogenesis. The post will involve
the development and application of novel state-of-the-art optical mapping technologies
to interrogate the spatial patterns of electrical, calcium and energetic properties within
the grafted cells and at the graft-recipient interface. You will be required to work closely
with colleagues in the Centre for Regenerative Medicine and the National Heart and
Lung Institute, and also the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College. You will
have responsibility for a series of laboratory studies extending from
immunohistochemistry to whole heart Langendorff and working heart optical mapping
studies, and in vivo heart failure models with cell implantation.
You will undertake project management and be expected to become involved in the
supervision of BSc, MRes and PhD students in related projects who are part of the
research team, and will therefore be part of a multi-disciplinary team. In addition, you
will be expected to submit publications to refereed journals and to attract external
research funding.
Research Duties
 To conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision and coordination with other Group members as required
 To collaborate with affiliated scientists of the BHF Centre and other researchers
within Imperial College and elsewhere in London or abroad, as appropriate
 To maintain a highly organised and accurate record of experimental work
 To conduct data analysis, ensuring the validity and reliability of data at all times
 To identify and develop suitable techniques, and apparatus, for the collection and
analysis of data
 To take an active part in the Group’s research meetings, internal seminars and
academic activities of the BHF Centre
 To publish in high quality journals and to present data at national and international
meetings
 To keep up-to-date with scientific advances in the field, including continuing
professional development
 Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and
research assistants as required
 To work outside of normal working hours (including weekends) if the requirements of
the project demand
Other Duties
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To undertake appropriate administrative tasks
To attend relevant meetings
To undertake any necessary training and/or development
Any other duties which may arise commensurate with the grade of the post as
directed by the Head of group, as well as the Head of Division/Department/Section
To observe and comply with all College policies and regulations, including the
key policies and procedures on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, Data
Protection, Equal Opportunities, Financial Regulations, Health and Safety,
Imperial Expectations (for new leaders, managers and supervisors), Information
Technology, Private Engagements and Register of Interests, and Smoking.
To undertake specific safety responsibilities relevant to individual roles, as set
out on the College Website Health and Safety Structure and Responsibilities
page (http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/safety/policies/organisationandarrangements).
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key
responsibilities.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in
its Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy
and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications
Essential
 PhD in Physiology, Biophysics, Pharmacology or a closely related discipline
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
 Experience with ex vivo whole heart preparations e.g. Langendorff heart
preparation, Working Heart preparation
Desirable
 Experience in cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
 Wide-field optical mapping of biological tissues, preferably cardiac
 Knowledge and experience of applying fluorescence dyes to study biophysical
properties
 Immunohistochemistry
 Electrophysiological provocation protocols
 In vivo cardiac surgery techniques (human or research models)
Skills and Abilities
Essential
 Ability to critically review project progress, and to provide intellectual input into the
continued development of research
 Ability to develop and apply new concepts
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with particular emphasis on
writing succinctly for publication and on effective communication with scientific
collaborators
 Proven organisational skills and ability to plan ahead, set priorities, and work to
deadlines
 Ability and willingness to perform routine and non-routine tasks effectively and
within deadlines
 Ability and willingness to adapt to changing timetables or work patterns as may be
dictated by changing circumstances
 Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
 Creative approach to problem-solving
 Advanced computer skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets and the
Internet
Other
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Willingness to work unsociable hours as work demands from time to time
Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative
Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times
Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role
Willingness to travel both within the United Kingdom and abroad to conduct
research and attend conferences