IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title:
Laboratory Technician
Centre:
Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Division:
Experimental Medicine
Department:
Medicine
Job Family/Level:
Technical Services, Level 2b
Salary:
£24,870 - £26,790 per annum pro rata
Working Hours:
Part-time 0.34 FTE (12 hours per week)
Location:
Hammersmith Campus
Duration:
Fixed term for 12 months
Responsible to:
Dr Rohini Sharma
THE POST
The post is that of a Laboratory Technician, working closely with Dr Rohini Sharma,
Medical Oncologist, based within the Department of Medicine, Centre for
Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the Hammersmith Campus.
The successful candidate will work primarily in a laboratory where their duties will
involve but not be restricted to tissue culture, gene expression analysis, western
blotting and transfection studies designed to evolve novel therapeutics in liver
cancer. They will also be involved in maintaining a clinical database of patients with
liver cancer as well as co-ordinating the collection of patient samples, and will be
required to screen patient lists prior to outpatient clinic where they will be responsible
for processing blood samples from consented patients.
Project Summary
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) accounts as the sixth most common neoplasm on a
global scale, ranking as the third most lethal with more than 600,000 deaths per year
worldwide. The causal association with liver parenchyma inflammation has long been
established as a key factor in HCC pathogenesis. In fact, more than 80% of newly
diagnosed HCCs arise in a context of liver cirrhosis and carriers of a chronic infection
by Hepatitis Virus B or C are believed to develop HCC at a rate of 0.5 to 5% per year.
In spite of the major advantages achieved in the molecular diagnosis of HCC, only
one third of the newly diagnosed patients are presently eligible for curative
treatments.
Molecular biomarkers may enable a better characterization of neoplastic disease,
offering a valuable tool to explore the different phenotypes encompassed within an
apparently identical clinical phenotype. Genome-wide profiling has shown potential in
predicting survival in HCC, identifying distinctive molecular signatures which might
soon find a place in the pre-operative diagnostic workup of these patients. Even if
extensive genetic profiling still appears confined to academic centers with a specific
interest in HCC genomics, compelling evidence in the literature proves that
prognostically meaningful biomarkers can be obtained with more diffused techniques,
either on tissue based approach (such as immunohistochemistry) or studying
circulating biomarkers with serum proteomics, ELISA, or PCR approaches. This
research project aims to explore the prognostic potential of circulating and tissue
biomarkers of HCC by taking advantage of different high throughput approaches like
Tissue Microarray, Proteomics and Polymerase Chain Reaction. Investigation of
protein and genomic material coming both from tissue and from serum of patients
affected by HCC may lead to the discovery of new molecular targets for therapy,
improve early detection of disease, and provide new surrogate endpoints for
therapeutic efficacy and toxicity.
Research Duties
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Maintain in vitro cell culture models
To perform mRNA and protein expression analysis
To perform transfection and siRNA studies
To screen novel compounds using these techniques
To perform routine sample handling of clinical material
To perform routine tissue collection, processing and storage
To separate serum, plasma and urine samples
To maintain high standards of laboratory housekeeping and equipment
maintenance.
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Administrative Duties
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To keep electronic records of all samples and be responsible for back-ups
and archives of this data.
To ensure compliance with local regulation and the Human Tissue act.
To be proficient in usage of databases and other common computer software
packages.
General laboratory administrative duties including ordering
Maintaining stock of routine supplies
Other Duties
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To undertake any necessary training
Any other duties commensurate with the grade of this post as directed by the
line manager/supervisor
As this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a satisfactory
(standard/enhanced/enhanced for regulated activity) Disclosure and Barring Service
check will be required for the successful candidate. Further information about the
DBS disclosure process can be found at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agenciespublic-bodies/dbs/ or by telephoning 0870 90 90 811. You may also wish to view the
College’s policy statements on the Recruitment and Employment of Ex-Offenders
and the Secure Storage, Use, Retention & Disposal of Disclosures and Disclosure
Information links.
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.
Personal Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
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A qualification in Biological Science or a closely related field and/or relevant
experience.
Desirable
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BSc or MSc in a biological science or a closely related field and/or relevant
experience.
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
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Proven experience of compound screening using in vitro models and
techniques such as co-factor recruitment assays
Experience of molecular cloning
Experience of immunoprecipitation techniques
Proven experience of tissue sample handing and correct storage protocols
Experience of routine laboratory techniques such as tissue culture and
general molecular biology
Desirable
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Experience in patient sample collection and database management
A background in laboratory based research
Skills and Abilities
Essential
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Proven ability to communicate information clearly, both verbally and in writing
Proven ability to assess resource requirements and deploy them effectively
Proven ability to follow instructions/protocols carefully.
Evidence of analytical capability and data collection and statistics
Evidence of ability to contribute to paper publications, meeting presentations
and research funding applications
Organisational and time management skills
Proven ability to work constructively and effectively within a small team
Proven ability to maintain accurate records
Familiarity with a range of computing skills including Excel
Familiarity with standard laboratory techniques
Other
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Motivated individual
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Flexible approach to working hours according to the requirements of the
technical procedures
Application Guidance
Please read the person specification carefully and describe, as part of your
application, how much you feel you meet each of the criteria. If you need more
space, please attach additional sheets to the application form.
The recruitment monitoring section of your application will be detached and will be
used only for monitoring and audit purposes as a basis for supporting our
commitment to Equal Opportunities.
An application form and full CV quoting reference number HM2013084 should be
sent, online via the Imperial College iRecruitment website.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted as soon as possible after the closing date.
Thank you for your interest in this post. We look forward to receiving your application.