UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
RECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORM
Job Title:
Research Associate/Research Fellow in Translational Stem Cell
Technology & Bioengineering
School/Department:
The School of Medicine, Division of Cancer & Stem Cells
Salary:
£25,513 - £37,394 per annum, depending on skills and
experience (£28,695 minimum with a PhD). Salary
progression beyond this scale is subject to performance
Job Family and Level:
Research & Teaching Level 4CTG/4
Contract Status:
This full time post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 3
years, with anticipated start date of 1 Jan 2016.
Hours of Work:
Full time
Location:
University Park
Reporting to:
Associate Professor in Stem Cell Glycobiology
The Purpose of the New Role:
This post will recruit a talented, proactive postdoctoral researcher to work on an exciting
interdisciplinary, translational project funded by the National Centre for the Replacement,
Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). The project will combine cancer cell
biology, matrix biology, glycobiology, proteomics and biomaterials science to address a workplan
entitled: “A multi-cellular 3D model of human breast tissue to replace rodent xenograft models in
breast cancer research”.
This post will be based in Nottingham but will collaborate extensively within the collaborative
group, which includes Dr Gillian Farnie and Professor Tony Howell from the Institute of Cancer
Sciences and the Christie Hospital in Manchester. This project will develop a bespoke non-animal
based in vitro system that better replicates the tissue specific environment experienced by human
breast and breast cancer cells, creating model systems that are then suitable for use in
diagnostics and drug screening as well as improving our understanding of the interactions of
breast cancer cells with their local environment. We intend to focus initial development of this
breast tissue model on the pre-invasive breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS),
characterised by proliferation of malignant epithelial cells to fill the breast duct but separated
from the stroma by an intact basement membrane and a layer of myoepithelial cells. If left
untreated, progression to invasive cancer is observed in 30-50% of patients creating a clinical
challenge to identify which patients do not require further treatment. Therefore, DCIS can be
viewed as a temporary hiatus in malignant development, offering an opportunity for researchers
to determine the key factors in the cellular microenvironment permitting invasive progression and
providing an ideal test environment for our 3D model to be built upon.
The successful candidate will combine excellence in research, collaboration, communication and
meeting deadlines with knowledge of one or more of these areas, including: experience of using
hydrogels or other 3D cell culture environments and / or cancer cell biology; glycobiology
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(specifically glycosaminoglycans) and proteomics, particularly of matrix proteins; multicellular
culture systems / cell characterisation including molecular biology skills and high quality imaging.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Main Responsibilities
Work collaboratively within a team at the University of Nottingham (includes
~20 researchers and PhD students), and with academic/clinical partners in
Manchester and Boston (USA). This work will contribute to the goal of
producing a hydrogel-based mimetic of the human breast which can be
functionalised to reflect differences in matrix composition and structure. The
post holder will be required to travel to Manchester to learn skills, transfer
technologies and carry out essential practical components of the project. This
will include staying in Manchester for up to 5 consecutive days at a time in the
first year of the project.
Prepare data, reports and presentations for project meetings held between the
partners in Nottingham and Manchester. The candidate will excel at achieving
milestones / deadlines, which will be continuously evaluated and reported to
the funder annually.
The post holder will be required to travel to groups in the UK and USA who are
trialling the hydrogel technology to learn skills and transfer technologies.
Contribute to day to day development and running of the Merry Group, and to
undertake manuscript preparation and conference presentations
You are expected to make a contribution to teaching that is in balance with
wider contributions to research and other activities.
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Qualifications/
Nearing completion of a PhD or
Education
holding a PhD in Biological Sciences,
Cancer Studies or Engineering
equivalent
Skills/Training
A proven ability to prepare and
publish in excellent journals, and
work proactively and productively in
one or more of the areas below:
1. Human primary and cell-line
culture;
2. Hydrogel or other 3D cell culture
experience;
3. Cell characterisation including
viability, proliferation and
metabolic assays;
4. Experience of proteomic analysis
and data handling, particularly
relating to the extracellular
matrix;
5. Skills in immunocytochemistry
and 3D imaging including confocal
microscopy and real-time
imaging;
6. Cell and tissue bioengineering;
% time
70%
10%
10%
10%
Desirable
Expertise in working with breast
cancer tissue and cell culture
Expertise in working with complex
equipment, such as robotic
platforms, confocal plate readers.
Proven ability to teach, e.g. to
PhD or Masters levels students
Evidence of excellence within the
field, such as awards and prizes
Knowledge of 3D modelling of
tumours
2
familiarity with biomaterials,
particularly hydrogels,
7. Experience of glycan analysis
using biochemical, mass
spectrometric or
immunocytochemical means
Evidence of combining excellence in
research, collaboration,
communication and meeting
deadlines
Ability for independent and flexible
thinking.
Ability to present to scientific and lay
audiences
Other
Willingness to adopt the Ethos and
Principles of the School of Medicine to
improve the student experience.
Scope of the Role
To undertake research and day-day management of a research project that requires a high degree
of competence in one or more of the research areas listed above. An aptitude for critical thinking
and a flexible approach to collaborative research is critical, since the project will interact with
multiple centres. The successful candidate will be frequently required to work seven days a week
to maintain challenging cell cultures and this will play a major role in ensuring the success of the
project. They will also be expected to make a significant contribution to the Stem Cell Biology
Group via management, training and co-ordination of specific initiatives. If they wish, they will
also be able to contribute to occasional teaching to the MSc Stem Cell Technology.
Additional Information
Project Overview:
A synopsis from the funder can be found at:
https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/multi-cellular-3d-model-human-breast-tissue-replacerodent-xenograft-models-breast-cancer-research
Abstract: We aim to reduce the number of rodent models investigating the biology of the breast
by developing a superior in vitro matrix incorporating bespoke human breast extracellular matrix
(ECM) components, providing a robust culture model as the go-to platform for exploring the
biology of the breast and breast cancer. Drs Merry and Meade have developed a simple peptide
hydrogel system originally optimised for the culture of stem cells. In collaboration with Dr Farnie
and Prof Howell, who provide expertise in primary breast cell culture, ductal carcinoma (DCIS)
and breast ECM/density, we have pilot data demonstrating that the hydrogel is suitable for the
growth of typical in vitro 3D normal and DCIS breast structures. As with the vast majority of
cancers, the interaction of DCIS cells with their local microenvironment, the surrounding stroma
and ECM, is fundamental in defining their proliferation, transformation to malignancy and
invasion. Our hydrogel is well positioned to replicate aspects of the complex mixture of proteins
and glycans that embeds and supports cells, and can also be manipulated to mimic ECM stiffness
(breast density) which is a key predictor of DCIS recurrence and primary invasive breast cancer
development. We will use a combination of proteomics and glycomics to identify the key ECM
components defining dense and non-dense breast tissue in normal, DCIS and invasive breast
cancer conditions. The proteins and glycans will then be combined to generate a panel of 6
bespoke hydrogel environments modelling the range of tissue types. We will validate the model
3
using multicellular 3D culture and assay for ECM remodelling by encapsulated cells, directly
assessing the ability of our in vitro model system to replicate human breast tissue. Finally, we will
incorporate immune cells into the gels, thereby addressing a key feature of animal models that
currently separates them from in vitro systems.
The Postdoctoral Research Assistant post advertised here will be based in Nottingham’s Wolfson
Centre for Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering and Modelling (STEM), which houses a purpose-built
stem cell culture suite and state of the art facilities. STEM promotes a multidisciplinary research
ethos, where biologists, mathematicians and tissue engineers regularly integrate in a creative and
internationally-competitive research environment. The postholder will be encouraged to enrol in
appropriate management and personal development training programmes run through the
University’s Staff and Educational Development Unit.
Additional facilities at the University of Manchester include advanced imaging and proteomic core
facilities based at the CRUK Manchester Institute site. The Postdoctoral Research Assistant will
utilise the gated Stimulated Emission Depletion (gSTED) microscope which allows greater
resolution and clarity for complex 3D models. The imaging facility is also the first the UK to have
access to the PerkinElmer Opera Phenix, a modified spinning disk confocal High Content Screening
system, which will allow rapid data throughput with quantitative analysis capabilities. Our
proteomics team have over fifty years of analytical experience and have a track record of
collaborative project support to simultaneously enhance research output and novel workflows
designed to answer previously intractable biological questions.
Informal enquiries should be directed to cathy.merry@nottingham.ac.uk but applications must be
made through the online system.
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Appendix 1
The University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a global-leading, research-intensive university with campuses in
the UK, Malaysia and China. Our reputation for world-class research has yielded major scientific
breakthroughs such as Nobel-winning MRI techniques, drug discovery, food technologies and
engineering solutions for future economic, social and cultural progress.
Already ranked among the UK’s elite universities and global polls for research excellence, our
reputation for world-class research has been further enhanced with the 2014 results of the
Research Excellence Framework (REF).
In addition to scoring highly in quality rankings covering major disciplines in science, engineering,
the social sciences, medicine, business and the arts, it is Nottingham’s research power rankings
which demonstrate the impressive volume of excellent research which is carried out. We are now
ranked 8th in the UK on a measure of ‘research power’ which takes into account both the quality of
research and the number of research-active staff who made REF returns, confirming Nottingham’s
place in the top tier of the world’s elite higher education institutions.
The main University campus is set beside a lake, in an extensive belt of woodland, parks and
playing fields. The 330 acre University Park Campus is the focus of life for more than 32,000
students and houses the majority of the University’s academic schools and many of the central
Services. The Jubilee campus is situated 2 miles away from the University Park, and provides
extra capacity. The University Medical School is situated next to the University Park. Together
with the University Hospital, it forms the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).
University of Nottingham Medical School
Nottingham has a strong reputation for both clinical medicine and teaching. As one of the most
popular medical schools in the country, it is able to select excellent students and produce and
attract good junior doctors.
The School of Medicine comprises the Divisions of Cancer and Stem Cell Sciences, Child Health,
Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Clinical Neuroscience; Epidemiology and Public Health; Primary
Care; Psychiatry and Applied Psychology; Rehabilitation and Ageing; Medical Sciences and
Graduate Entry Medicine; Respiratory Medicine; Rheumatology, Orthopaedics and Dermatology
and the Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre.
The School also hosts the School of Medicine
Education Centre, the Centre for Interprofessional Education and Learning, the Clinical Research
Facility, the Clinical Skills Centre, NIHR design Service East Midlands, Nottingham Clinical Trials
Unit, PRIMIS and Medical Imaging Unit.
The School of Medicine brings together in one School staff undertaking research for the benefit of
the health of patients. It includes all primary care and hospital-based medical and surgical
disciplines, principally in the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital Nottingham Campuses,
Royal Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and also at the University’s main campus and at the
King’s Meadow and Jubilee Campuses. Most of our School’s Senior Researchers and Teachers are
also clinicians who dedicate 50% of their time to patient care within the Nottingham University
Hospitals NHS Trust & Royal Derby Hospitals NHS Trust. This close juxtaposition brings cuttingedge clinical care to our patients and clinical relevance to our research and teaching. We are
closely integrated with our full time NHS clinical colleagues, many of whom are themselves
leaders in research and teaching and who work closely with the University and this increases the
mutual benefit from integration between the University and NHS.
5
Mission:
Our mission is to improve human health and quality of life locally, nationally and internationally
through outstanding education, research and patient care.
Priorities:
1. Teaching and learning, particularly training tomorrow’s doctors and teaching specialised
postgraduates
2. Research and research training: We will perform and support the highest quality “big”
research which impacts on human health and disease
3. Partnership with the NHS and other healthcare providers
4. Visibility and profile of the School of Medicine: We will do what we do better, and we
will tell others about it
Ethos and principles:
1. Having people and patients at the heart of all we do: our teaching and learning, our
research and our patient care
2. Contribution within the School of Medicine and to society beyond our immediate
roles; helpfulness and service
3. Openness and fairness, with particular emphasis on communication (both internal and
external) and on equality and diversity among students and staff
4. Personal and group responsibility for all aspects of our work, within a culture of
opportunity and reward
Our research spans 11 major themes, ranging from cancer to vascular medicine. We work closely
with industry and the NHS. Our world-leading research ranges from basic and translational science
through to clinical trials, epidemiology, and health services research. Our clear theme is improving
human health, underpinning a vibrant postgraduate research training programme leading to PhD
or DM. Many of our academics are clinicians, using their expertise to provide cutting edge
specialised treatment to NHS patients; reflecting our ethos that patients are at the heart of all we
do.
In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework the four Units of Assessment included in the School
of Medicine were among the six most improved in the whole University since RAE 2008: 82% of
our research in 2014 was graded as world-leading or internationally excellent. Our research spans
11 major themes and ranges from basic and translational science through to clinical trials,
epidemiology, and health services research. We work closely with industry and the NHS. Our
research is underpinned by a strong postgraduate research training programme leading to PhD or
DM. Our major research themes are in Cancer and Stem Cells; Child Health, Obstetrics &
Gynaecology; Clinical Neurosciences; Dermatology; Digestive Diseases; Epidemiology and Public
Health; Mental Health; Musculoskeletal physiology and disease; Primary Care; Rehabilitation and
Ageing; Respiratory Medicine; and Renal Medicine The School of Medicine trains tomorrow’s
doctors on a vibrant undergraduate medical course with a unique intercalated BMedSci, as well in
a specialised graduate-entry programme built around clinical problem solving. We teach medicine
and related disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. We have a dedicated clinical
academic training programme and are committed to training PhD and doctoral research students
and to supporting postdoctoral clinicians and scientists in their research.
The School of Medicine holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to
advance the representation of women in science, technology, engineering, medicine and
mathematics (STEMM). The award reflects our commitment to promoting equality and diversity.
Please see http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/about/athena-swan.aspx.
Professor Tony Avery is Dean of the School of Medicine.
For further information, please see our website http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine
6
Academics
The Department of Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering and Modelling (STEM) comprises a team of
successful, young scientists with an interest in combining a range of state-of-the-art technologies
to further key basic questions and biomedical goals utilizing stem cell systems. The academics
comprise the Stem Cell Biology Group, Tissue Engineering Group and the Mathematical Modelling
Group. STEM academics are highly research active and have a current grant holding in excess of
£10m. Academics within STEM were instrumental in winning a £6.5m Doctoral Training Centre
Award held between Nottingham, Loughborough and Keele Universities, which is in the final
stages of training 50 PhD students over the a 5 year period (2009-2014). This award has been
renewed for another 5 year period from 2015-2020. The same University partners have also
received funding for a £6.3m EPSRC Centre in Regenerative Medicine.
The Stem Cell Biology group is within the Division of Cancer & Stem Cells and forms part of the
School
of
Medicine
(www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/research/themes/cancer-and-stemcells/index.aspx). Professor Chris Denning is applying his expertise in genetic modification and
gene targeting to human embryonic / induced pluripotent stem cells, particularly to establish
novel human disease models / methods for translational approaches such as drug development.
He is a partner in the £2.5m British Heart Foundation Centre for Regenerative Medicine that is
held jointly with Imperial College London. Dr Virginie Sottile investigates the in vitro
differentiation properties of both neural and mesenchymal stem cells, as well as their
differentiation in situ upon transplantation into the chick embryo. Dr. Alexey Ruzov investigates
how epigenetic modifications such as 5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine regulate cell fate and
development. During 2014-16, a two-phase recruitment process will add 4 staff from Lecturer to
Professor level to this department. New academic appointees to the department will include Dr.
Nick Hannan (from University of Cambridge; started 1st July 2015) to lead a programme on hPSC
differentiation in lung and gut lineages. Dr. Cathy Merry (from University of Manchester; started
1st Sept 2015) will bring her programme on Glucosaminoglycans (GAGs). During 2015/16 we will
recruit a further Associate Professor and a Full Professor to the growing department.
Included within the Tissue Engineering Group are Professor Kevin Shakesheff, who combines the
incorporation of biomolecules into novel scaffold materials for regeneration of tissues such as liver
and bone (www.nottingham.ac.uk/pharmacy/research/ddte/index.aspx). Kevin is also pioneering
the use of supercritical fluids to enhance cell survival on synthetic polymers. He is lead in the
£3.5m MRC Regenerative Medicine Hub for Accelular Technologies. Dr Felicity Rose focuses on the
tissue engineering of intestinal, bone and cartilage tissue using a variety of scaffolds and
bioreactor systems and is also engineering wound repair systems for corneal transplants. Dr Lee
Buttery is investigating the engineering of scaffolds to improve both 3D differentiation and clinical
delivery of both fetal osteoblasts and osteogenic progenitors derived from embryonic stem cells.
The application of mathematical modelling to regenerative medicine systems is a major interest of
Profs John King, Marcus Owen and Simon Preston. Collectively, their interests within Centre for
Mathematical Medicine & Biology (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cmmb/index.aspx) include
development and validation of mathematical models for tissue growth, cell signalling and
differentiation.
Facilities
Housed within the purpose-built laboratories and offices of the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences
building, STEM is directly linked to the University Medical School, Fertility Clinic and Clinical Grade
Stem Cell & Tissue Processing Laboratory. STEM scientists also have a close proximity with
physical scientists, including electrical / optical / manufacturing engineers, polymer biologists,
chemists, physicists etc.
STEM has fully equipped molecular biology laboratories that are complimented by dedicated
facilities for radioisotope studies, for chick embryo incubation, for bacterial culture, for tissue
dissection/ preparation, for PCR set-up and in situ hybridization, for histology/
7
immunocytochemistry and for cell imaging. In addition, the culture suite is one of the best in an
academic institution within the UK if not Europe and has 21 class II culture hoods dedicated to
human stem cell culture, imaging and manipulation. Our most recent acquisitions of a bespoke
£1m stem cell culture & differentiation robot, automated Patchliner electrophysiology, CardioXcyte
impedance system and an Operetta high content confocal plate imager. These have been acquired
through grants including a £1.3m BBSRC industrial partnership award with Syngenta, a £2.3m
EPSRC award and a £715K MRC award. The tissue engineering laboratories include a supercritical
fluid laboratory and state of the art facilities for scaffold bioengineering. Complimentary
computing facilities and IT support are available, with dedicated computing laboratories for our
mathematical modellers.
Between the 3 major University hospital sites, the Medical School offers a full range of clinical
departments and clinical academics. Elsewhere in the University, a new Veterinary School at the
Sutton Bonington campus provides additional opportunities for collaboration.
Teaching
In 2007, STEM started the world’s first taught Masters Course in Stem Cell Technology. This
course has a capacity for 16 students each year, who typically comprise 6 from the UK and 10
internationals. It has attracted funding from BBSRC for 12 Scholarships (2007-2010) and 12 from
MRC (2009-2012). The course comprises 6 Modules, which include 1, Cell & Developmental
Molecular Biology; 2, Pluripotent Stem Cells; 3, Adult Stem Cells; 4, Translation Technologies for
Stem Cells; 5, Transferrable Skills; 6, a 3 month Summer Research Project. More details can be
found at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/courses/medicine/medical-sciences/stem-celltechnology-msc.aspx.
Appendix 2
Nottingham
Central within the East Midlands, Nottingham is a vibrant and prosperous city with something to
offer everyone. It is one of the UK’s leading retail centres and has a huge variety of restaurants,
bars and nightclubs which attract people from all over the UK. Culturally, it has good theatres, an
arena which attracts both national and international performers and a range of historical interests
relating to subjects such as the lace industry, Lord Byron and DH Lawrence. Nottingham is also
known for sport, being the home of Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Forest and Notts
County Football Clubs, the National Water Sports Centre and the Nottingham Tennis Centre. There
is a good network of roads with easy access to the M1 and the A1, a fast frequent rail service to
London and other major cities. Nottingham East Midlands Airport is only eighteen miles away.
The city is set within a county of outstanding natural beauty which includes Sherwood Forest,
Wollaton Park, lively market towns and wonderful historic buildings. Housing is relatively
inexpensive and, in addition to the two Universities, there are excellent schools and colleges
available.
To find out more about Nottingham, use the following links:
Nottingham County Council – Tourism
http://www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/
University of Nottingham
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk
Zoopla (Guide to local properties)
http://www.zoopla.co.uk/
My Nottingham (information on schools, term dates, school transport etc.)
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=8524
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The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is Britain’s largest and most popular university, with a distinguished
history of academic achievement and an ambitious agenda for the future. The University, with
income in excess of £780 million, has four Nobel Prize winners amongst its current academic staff,
and has embarked on an exciting and bold course which aims to make us one of the top 25
universities in the world, as set out in the University’s strategic vision for 2020:
http://www.manchester.ac.uk/2020
The University became the largest single site University in the UK in 2004 with the merger of the
Victoria University of Manchester and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and
Technology (UMIST).
The core commitment of our research strategy is to perform research of the highest quality and to
continue to raise the level and ambition of our world class and world leading standards of
excellence. As part of our strategy and vision for the University, we are working to build a 21 st
century campus with cutting-edge research accommodation and facilities. In the last few years we
have spent more than £400m on transforming our campus and building a world-class environment
for outstanding scholars, teachers and internationally acclaimed research teams. This is the
largest investment ever seen in UK higher education history. A further £250m investment by 2015
will bring the total spend to more than £650m.
In REF 2014, 83% of research activity at The University of Manchester was judged to be
“worldleading” (4*, 35%) or “internationally excellent” (3*), confirming the University’s place as
one of the UK’s top research universities – in fifth place in terms of research power.
The Institute of Cancer Sciences
The Institute of Cancers Sciences is one of six Faculty Institutes within the Faculty of Medical and
Human Sciences http://www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/. It is made up of five research themed
Centres: Haematological Oncology; Paediatric, Teenage and Young Adult Cancer; Personalised
Therapy; Radiation; and Women’s Cancer. It is based on the same site as the Cancer Research
UK Manchester Institute and The Christie Hospital, which provides a focus for cancer research
activity that combines an international reputation for cancer research with the largest scale cancer
clinical service in the UK.
Other activity in the Institute is based either on the University’s Oxford Road site or in key
Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC) partner sites at Central Manchester
University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS
Foundation Trust and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. The large patient base found in Greater
Manchester and linked to the research network provides major opportunities for the growth of
clinical and translational research, a key objective of the Trusts and the University. The new
Faculty Institute will play a key role in taking advantage of this opportunity to seamlessly link
basic and clinical science http://www.cancer.manchester.ac.uk/research/.
Academics
Dr Farnie and Professor Howell are part of the Institute of Cancer Sciences (ICS) and are based at
laboratories within the CRUK Manchester Institute and the new Manchester Cancer Research
Centre (MCRC). They have access to all of the CRUK core facilities including, Advanced imaging
and Flow cytometry, Biological Mass spectrometry, Histology and the Molecular Biology Core
Facility http://www.cruk.manchester.ac.uk/Home. They are part of a highly translational research
environment within ICS and are members of the Manchester Breast Centre which integrates 20
clinical and academics principal investigators working in breast research throughout the University
This has forged strong collaborations which have enabled our research to have clinical impact.
http://www.breastcentre.manchester.ac.uk/
9