MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology
Research Associate
UCL Grade 7 – £33,252 to £40,313 (inclusive) per annum
The Acton lab studies stromal/leukocyte interactions combining cell biology, image
analysis and in vivo studies to investigate control of lymphoid tissue dynamics and
anti-tumour immunity. Projects in the lab include investigating the mechanisms of
lymph node expansion during inflammation, the communication between leukocytes
and fibroblastic stroma in tumour microenvironments and the regulation function
controlled by mechanical tension.
The lab will be based at the MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, UCL.
Available from March/April 2016, the post is offered for a period of three years in the
first instance. Salary is on UCL grade 7 and will be commensurate with skills and
experience.
Recent relevant publications:
Acton S.E*., Farrugia A.J., Astarita J.L., Mourão-Sá D., Jenkins R.P., Nye E., Hooper S., van
Blijswijk J., Rogers N.C., Snelgrove K.J., Rosewell I., Moita L.F., Stamp G., Turley S.J., Sahai
E., Reis e Sousa C. CLEC-2+ Dendritic Cells Control Fibroblastic Reticular Network Tension
and Lymph Node Expansion. Nature 2014 514, 498–502
Fletcher A.L., Acton S.E., and Knoblich K. Lymph node fibroblastic reticular cells in health and
disease. Nature Reviews Immunology 2015 15, 350–361
Acton S.E., Astarita J.L., Malhotra D., Lukacs-Kornek V., Franz B., Hess P.R., Jakus Z.,
Kuligowski M., Fletcher A.L., Elpek K.G., Bellemare-Pelletier A., Sceats L., Reynoso E.D.,
Gonzalez S.F., Graham D.B., Chang J., Peters A., Woodruff M., Kim Y.A., Swat W., Morita T.,
Kuchroo V., Carroll M.C., Kahn M.L., Wucherpfennig K.W., Turley S.J. Podoplanin-Rich
Stromal Networks Induce Dendritic Cell Motility via Activation of the C-type Lectin Receptor
CLEC-2. Immunity. 2012 37(2):276-89
Candidates should possess a PhD degree in immunology or cell biology. Experience
in primary cell culture and microscopy will be an advantage. A job description, person
specification and the online application form are available at:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/jobs.
Ref: 1503358
This site offers details of the application process.
If you have queries regarding the position please contact Dr Sophie Acton
(sophie.acton@crick.ac.uk).
Closing date: 16th November 2015
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology
Job Description
Job Title :
Research Associate
Studying cell-cell communication between fibroblastic stroma
and leukocytes in lymphoid organs and tumours
Laboratory of Dr Sophie Acton
Department :
MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology
Reports to :
Sophie Acton
Grade:
Grade 7
Start date :
The position is available Spring 2016 and is offered for 3 years
in the first instance.
Main Purpose
Our immune system is our defence against the outside world, but also has the
potential to recognize and eliminate tumours. It is a complex system of many
different cell types with specific tasks. Whilst we know what each cell type is capable
of, the complex ways in which different cells communicate with one another and
therefore work together has remained more mysterious. It has only recently been
acknowledged that the non-immune cells, broadly termed stromal cells, in fact play
an important role in regulating the outcome of immune responses.
The main objective of this project is to understand the interplay between leukocytes
and lymphoid stroma, in particular fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs), and to apply
these findings to similar signalling occurring between leukocytes, tumour cells and
carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). This project will investigate communication
between FRCs and DCs regulated by cell/cell contact. This project will involve
working with both cell lines and primary cells for screening of cocultures. Live cell
imaging and 3-dimensional cell culture systems will be used to examine mechanism
in detail.
Duties and Responsibilities
 To carry out original research
 To write and publish high quality papers
 To present work at lab meetings and conferences
 To travel to represent the lab in meetings and in interactions with
collaborators
 To apply for personal fellowships
 To contribute to intellectual discussions within the team
 To be a good lab citizen maintaining lab organisation and performing shared
lab duties
 To assist other members of the lab and other projects as and when required
for the success of the team
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology
Person specification for the post of Research Associate
Knowledge including qualifications
Essential
 Must have BSc in Life/Medical or Physical sciences and a PhD in Life
sciences
 Must have carried out independent original research to life sciences to a high
level
 Training in immunology
Desirable
 Home office licence modules 1-4
Skills and Experience
Essential
 Must have published high quality original research
 Experience of presenting own work (poster/oral) at meetings
 Proven ability to drive own research
 Mammalian cell culture
 Molecular biology including cloning
Desirable
 Experience of proteomics screening
 Experience of flow cytometry analysis and cell sorting
 Experience of primary cell cultures including dendritic cells
 Generation of cell lines
 Fluorescence microscopy and live cell imaging
 In vivo assays including dissection and surgical techniques
 Experience in image analysis and statistics
Personal Qualities
Essential
 Bright, enthusiastic and independent
 Mature, responsible and well organised