About
The
Job.
Department of Neuroscience
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health
Research Technician
About
The
Job.
Pursue the extraordinary
Overview
About the Department
The Neuroscience Department comprises multidisciplinary groups from Neurology,
Neuropathology, and Academic Clinical Psychiatry (that also includes a strong interest in
neuroimaging) working in both basic and clinical neuroscience. The major areas of research
interest are in neurodegenerative diseases (diseases of the motor system, basal ganglia and
dementia);
psychiatric
disorders
(psychosis
and
major
affective
disorders)
and
neuroimaging. The
Neurodegenerative Disease group research portfolio includes genetic, cellular, molecular
and clinical research into common disorders including motor neuron diseases, Parkinson’s
disease, Huntington’s disease and the ageing brain and dementia. The research focus is
strongly translational and a new 2,800m2 research facility, the Sheffield Institute of
Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen, in
November 2010. The Academic Clinical Psychiatry group within which the Sheffield
Cognition and Neuroimaging Laboratory (SCANLab) resides, has major research
programmes investigating perception in auditory and visual modalities and their interaction;
time perception and processing; social cognition and executive function in health and
psychiatric disease. Structural and functional MRI are the main neuroimaging techniques
used to define these processes.
There are strong collaborative links with other Neuroscience groups within the University of
Sheffield, including: the neuroradiology group which focuses on the investigation of the
causes and
sequelae of cerebrovascular disease; neurodegenerative processes and foetal and
childhood developmental brain abnormalities; the MRC Centre for Development and
Biomedical Genetics
(CDBG) which has major strengths in developmental neuroscience and in model systems for
neurodegenerative disease; the Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging groups in the
Department of Psychology and with tissue engineering and nanotechnology groups within
the
Kroto Institute.
Research activity within the Neuroscience Department is supported through a broad
portfolio of research funding. This includes project and programme grant support from
major UK funding organizations such as the Wellcome Trust; Medical Research Council;
NIHR; EU and multiple neurological and psychiatric disease related charities. Substantial
funding from biotechnology and
pharmaceutical companies supports our translational and clinical research programmes.
The Neuroscience Department attaches great importance to career development. We have
an excellent track record of attracting prestigious external fellowship awards and six of
these fellows
have recently progressed to faculty positions within the department.
For further information about the department please visit:
www.shef.ac.uk/neuroscience
www.shef.ac.uk/sitran
http://sitran.dept.shef.ac.uk/
Job Role
This post will be based in the groups of Dr Kurt De Vos and Dr Andy Grierson in the
Department of Neurosciences and will be located in the newly opened Sheffield Institute for
Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) headed by Prof Pamela Shaw.
SITraN is a new research
institute whose primary focus is research into neurodegenerative diseases such as Motor
Neuron Disease (MND), Parkinson’s Disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and
Dementia.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced individual to join our team to provide
research technical support for an exciting new project funded by the Thierry Latran
Foundation
(http://www.fondation-thierry-latran.org/fondation/en)
to
investigate
the
underlying causes of Motor Neuron Disease (MND) also known as Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis (ALS). Expansion of the GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat in the C9ORF72 gene is
currently the most common genetic defect found in familial ALS. The aim of the research
project you will be contributing to is to use cell biological and biochemical methods to
determine the cellular roles of the C9orf72 protein. You will join an internationally
recognised research group in a vibrant and stimulating environment within SITraN.
You will provide dedicated research technical support to the team and will need to be able
to demonstrate a good level of competency in the use of molecular and cellular techniques.
Job Description
Main Duties and Responsibilities

Preparation of and maintenance of neuronal and other cell cultures.

Preparation and construction of plasmid vectors.

Biochemistry including western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation,
immunocytochemistry and other related methods as appropriate.

Use of immunofluorescence, light and laser confocal microscopy and other technologies
related to expression and functional analysis of C9orf72.

Use of time-lapse microscopy of living cells.

Record and analyse the data generated by these studies.

Conform to good laboratory practice.

Communicate results to colleagues and others as appropriate, including presenting data
in meetings.

Contribute to report and manuscripts preparation.

Participate in regular informal and formal presentation of work.

Collaborate with other members of the research group at SITraN and with other internal
and external groups as appropriate.

Attend suitable training courses as required.

Order all reagents/consumables required for the experimental work.

Liaise with staff from other Departments or outside agencies.

Assume responsibility for the routine maintenance of equipment within the laboratory in
liaison with the other senior technical staff.

Prioritise own work within a general plan in conjunction with the research group leader
to meet deadlines over a medium term of 1-3 months.

Plan ahead to ensure that adequate resources and stocks are maintained.

Provide up to date reports to the Supervisors of the project communicating progress of
key project objectives on a weekly basis.

Any other duties commensurate with the grade of this post.
Person Specification
Applicants should provide evidence in their applications that they meet the following
criteria. We will use a range of selection methods to measure candidates’ abilities in these
areas including reviewing your on-line application, seeking references, inviting shortlisted
candidates to interview and other forms of assessment action relevant to the post.
Criteria
Essential Desirable
Qualifications and experience
1.
Degree in biological sciences (minimum BSc or equivalent).
X
2.
Theoretical understanding of cellular and molecular biology.
X
3.
Experience of genetic, molecular and cellular laboratory work.
4.
Good working knowledge of MS Office and associated
X
X
programmes.
5.
Knowledge of and compliance with good laboratory practice.
X
Communication skills
6.
Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
X
7.
Report writing skills and experience of delivering presentations.
X
Team working
8.
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team to meet
X
deadlines.
Problem solving and decision making
9.
Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving.
X
Personal effectiveness
10.
Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances.
X
11.
Attention to detail and a proven ability to keep accurate and
X
reliable records.
12.
Ability to work to strict deadlines.
X
13.
Ability to deal tactfully, and in a helpful manner, with staff of all
X
levels.
14.
Good organisational and time management skills.
Further Information
This post is fixed-term, available immediately until 30 September 2014.
X
This role has been identified as a full-time post, but we are committed to exploring flexible
working opportunities with our staff, which benefit both the individual and the University.
Therefore, we would consider flexible delivery of the role subject to meeting the business
needs of the post. See www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/wellbeing/info/wlb.html for more
information.
Benefits
Terms and conditions of employment:
Will be those for Grade 5 staff.
Salary for this grade: £19,972 to £23,121 per annum.
More details on salaries, terms and conditions and our wide range of benefits for staff are
available at www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/salaries.html
Informal enquiries:
For all on-line application system queries and support, contact: e-Recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk .
For informal enquiries about this job and department, contact: XXX
Health assessment:
Please note that due to the duties of this post, the final appointment will be subject to the
completion of a satisfactory health assessment from the University Staff Occupational
Health Service.
Selection-Next Step
Following the closing date, you will be informed by email whether or not you have been
shortlisted to be invited to participate in the next stage of the selection process. Please note
that due to the large number of applications that we receive, it may take up to two working
weeks following the closing date before the recruiting department will be able to contact
you.
The University of Sheffield is committed to achieving excellence through inclusion.
The University of Sheffield is proud to be a Two Ticks employer
www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/equality/support/twoticks/
The University has achieved the Athena SWAN award for Women in
Science, Engineering and Medicine
The Medical School has achieved the Athena SWAN award for Women in Science,
Engineering and Medicine