Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference:
6772
Job title:
Post Doctoral Research Associate
Reports to:
Dr Jill Saffrey
Salary:
£27,319 – £31,671
Terms and conditions:
Research Staff
Grade:
AC1/2 (appointment will depend on qualification and
experience)
Duration of post:
2 years
Working hours:
Full time
Location:
Milton Keynes
Closing date:
30 November 2010
Type of application form accepted:
Short
Number of referees required:
3
Unit recruitment contact:
Michelle Duke
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2. Summary of duties
This project, based at the Open University’s Department of Life Science research laboratories
at Milton Keynes, is part of a major collaborative project ‘Integrated analysis of the impact of
age-associated neuronal and enteroendocrine changes on normal bowel functions’, awarded
to The Open University, The University of Brighton and Northumbria University under the
BBSRC Ageing Bladder and Bowel call. In this exciting collaboration we combine a range of
immunohistochemical, morphological, physiological, and novel chemical approaches to
analyse changes in the structure and function of the bowel during ageing.
Main duties
The successful applicant will be part of a team studying the ageing mouse gut, and will be
responsible for:

Taking and processing intestinal samples for analysis by light and/or electron microscopy,
and performing multiple immunolabelling to identify specific subpopulations of intestinal
cells during ageing

Performing quantitative analysis of age-associated changes in ultrastructural and
immunochemical properties of the cells that play an essential role in the normal functions
of the terminal colon, including enteric neurones, enteroendocrine and smooth muscle
cells
 Undertake appropriate statistical analyses on data obtained
 Assist with/draft manuscripts, conference presentations
 Any other related/relevant duties as directed by the project leaders
Other Duties
All staff are expected to:

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Comply with the University’s Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities policies in the
performance of their duties.
Take reasonable care of the Health and Safety of themselves and that of any other person
who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
Co-operate with the Open University in ensuring as far as is necessary, that Statutory
Requirements, Codes of Practice, University Policies and Departmental Health and Safety
arrangements are complied with.
Have a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity.
Attend appropriate staff development events.
Line management responsibilities
None
Financial resource management responsibilities
None
Challenges and opportunities
The biology of ageing is now a priority research area as life expectancy and the number of
older people increases. The quality of life of the elderly is severely undermined by digestive
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system dysfunction, particularly faecal incontinence and constipation. The physiology and cell
biology that underlie normal bowel functions, particularly defaecation, however, are still
incompletely understood, and little is known of changes that may occur in the terminal bowel
during ageing. This BBSRC-funded project will therefore provide the successful applicant with
the opportunity to contribute to a programme that will provide basic information about the
complex neural and enteroendocrine systems that regulate bowel function, as well as making
a major contribution to our understanding of the ageing gut. The results of the work will be
disseminated by publication in peer review journals and also by presentation at national and
international meetings, and the postdoctoral research employed to work on the project will
have the opportunity to contribute to the preparation and presentation of our work to specialists
in the areas of biogerontology, neurobiology and gastroenterology, as well as to the wider
scientific community.
3. Person specification
Criteria
Education,
qualifications and
training
Essential

Background in neuroscience or
gastroenterology

PhD in relevant discipline

Quantitative histological /
immunohistochemical or
morphological analysis
Histology and
immunohistochemical
techniques

The autonomic nervous system,
particularly the enteric nervous
system
Electron microscopy and
morphological analysis

Gastroenterology

Confocal microscopy

Competency/experience in
preparation of manuscripts and
related material for publication
in high-profile, peer-reviewed
journals


High level of motivation
Excellent record-keeping and
organisational skills
Well-developed selfmanagement skills
Ability to work independently and
as part of a research team

Excellent oral communication
skills
High degree of technical proficiency
in one or more of the following:

Knowledge, work
and other relevant
experience
Personal Qualities
Desirable



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4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
5. About the unit/department
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
The Faculty of Science has four teaching departments: Chemistry & Analytical Sciences, Earth
& Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences, and Physics & Astronomy; and the Planetary and
Space Sciences Research Institute.
The Faculty has a staff of about 360, comprising around 115 academic staff (central and
regional) with the balance made up of research staff, course managers, laboratory staff,
technicians, administrators and secretaries. There are also varying numbers of research
students and visiting academic staff.
Science Curriculum
The Faculty currently supports 5 undergraduate discipline-based programmes; Life Sciences,
Health Sciences, Molecular Science, Geosciences, and Physical Science; as well as a broadbased Natural Sciences programme which is cross-disciplinary. At post-graduate level, the
Faculty supports an MSc programme which currently has 3 strands – Science Studies,
Frontiers in Medical Science, and Health Physics.
The Faculty also supports foundation degrees in Health Sciences (including paramedic and
operating theatre practice) and is developing an analytical science strand.
Science Research
The Faculty of Science undertakes a range of research across many scientific topics that
brings together traditional scientific disciplines and new interdisciplinary areas through three
major research groupings:



The Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR)
Biomedical Research Network (BRN)
Science Scholarship Research Network (about to be established)
Our research encompasses both 'blue-skies' basic research and applied research to find
solutions to specific scientific and technological problems. In addition, the Faculty of Science is
supporting a number of new ‘genesis’ areas where new synergies are rapidly developing in
response to external research opportunities.
For more information, please see our website at http://www.open.ac.uk/science/index.php
DEPARTMENT OF LIFE SCIENCES
Head of Department: Dr. Hilary MacQueen
The Department is made up of 31 academics who perform research across the full range of the
biological sciences. In addition, there are 11 post-doctoral researchers, 19 full-time research
students. Members of the Department hold, and have held, a variety of research grants from,
amongst others, the BBSRC, NERC, EU Framework 6&7, DEFRA, Natural England, Esmee
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Fairburn, Big Lottery Fund, Wellcome Trust, Leverhulme Trust, Multiple Sclerosis Society,
MRC, the Royal Society, NAAR/Autism Speaks and NIMH. At the postgraduate level, the
department runs a full PhD research degree programme with students supported by the
BBSRC, NERC, MRC (Medical Research Council), RSPB, charities (such as Research into
Ageing, The Migraine Trust) and from The Open University. Our industrial research partners
include Regen, Cyclacel Ltd, Human Factors International, Eusa Pharma (Europe) Ltd, Hill
Group Aggregate, Entec UK Ltd, Charles Church, Black & Veatch).
Our Research
Our Department is divided into two main research areas centred on Biomedical Sciences and
Biodiversity. Within Biomedical Science, research groups are working within the neurosciences
(including neuropathology and neuroimmunology), cellular immunology, the biology of ageing,
gene expression and cognitive psychology. Amongst the key research priority areas in the
Department are autism, ageing and neurodegeneration, immunology of the nervous system,
cellular and molecular neurobiology, cognitive science and neurosience. Our research teams
comprise biologists, chemists, environmental scientists, physicists and psychologists who
contribute to a vibrant and interdisciplinary research community. Our laboratory facilities have
recently been substantially expanded and include molecular genetics laboratories, a DNAsequencing laboratory, dark rooms, tissue culture/time-lapse suites, electron microscopes,
confocal microscope suite, histology and morphometric laboratories and a radiation suite which
houses a cell harvester, beta scintillation and gamma counters (see below).
Most of our research concerns key strategic areas identified by UK research councils. Notably,
we have been very successful in obtaining funding from the highly competitive European
Framework 6 & 7 initiative (for a multicentre neuroscientific projects entitled ‘Promemoria’ and
‘Memstick’), from BBSRC strategic funding initiatives into Ageing (SAGE, ERA), neural function
(NEURONE) and BIOIMAGING. We have also increased our funding from research charities
such as Autism Speaks (USA), the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Wellcome Trust and a
have developed a number of new links with Industry (, Regen, Cyclacel Ltd, Human Factors
International, Eusa Pharma (Europe) Ltd, Hill Group Aggregate, Entec UK Ltd, Charles Church,
Black & Veatch).. Much of our research is based on very successful collaborations with other
universities and institutes and with industry, both nationally and internationally. Through our
regional centre in Cambridge, we maintain close links with the Cambridge Genetics Knowledge
Park and the i10 network.
The Department offers a range of specialist skills and expertise across the life sciences area of
research, described in more detail below. We are keen to involve external partners in our
research through their involvement in collaborative research projects, sponsored PhD
studentships and contract research projects.
Our Laboratory Facilities
The Department of Life Sciences houses high quality specialist research laboratories well
equipped with standard analytical and preparative equipment for biochemistry, microbiology,
molecular biology, Drosophila culture, neurophysiology, histology, stereology/morphometry,
polarising microscopy, ultrasound and behaviour recording. Our laboratories include fully
equipped suites for molecular biology, tissue culture, cell culture and electrophysiology,
molecular ecology and ecohydrology. A new suite of laboratories for biomedical research,
funded by £2 million SRIF investment was recently opened by Professor Colin Blakemore in
September 2006.
Within Life Sciences, we offer excellent microscopy facilities that include EM, UV, fluorescence,
timelapse, confocal and a wide range of light-microscopes. We also have a suite of image
analysis microscopes using specialist software dedicated to densitometry and 2Dmorphometric analyses, as well as a Neurolucida (MicroBrightField, USA) computer assisted
microscope system for the reconstruction and rotation of neurons and neural structures.
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A self-contained electron microscopy suite houses two transmission
electron microscopes (JEOL 100kV and 200kV) and one scanning
electron microscope. These are equipped with both image acquisition
and analytical equipment and software. This suite includes a large
preparation facility for processing biological material, including
cryopreparation and immunocytochemistry. In August 2007, a new
120kV JEM1400 transmission electron microscope with digital image
acquisition was installed, having been purchased on the SRIF3 initiative. A separate specialist
laboratory suite contains a Leica NT laser scanning confocal microscope with networked
Silicon Graphics work station and image processing package that allows 3-D reconstruction
and deconvolution.
We have excellent facilities for standard optical microscopy;
fluorescence microscopes with image analysis packages (both online and off-line) and an inverted fluorescence microscope with timelapse video image acquisition. Our microscopy facilities are
supported by a very well equipped and fully-serviced histology
laboratory, with paraffin wax processing, section staining, vacuum
embedding and cryostat sectioning. In addition, we have specialist microscopes equipped for
micro-injection of cultured cells, injection of Drosophila embryos and for yeast tetrad
microdissection.
The Department has six separate cell and tissue culture facilities, each of
which is dedicated to work with primary or established animal or human cells or
tissues, including organotypic slice culture. Cell biology work is supported by
both a fluorescent activated cell analyser, a time-lapse video imaging system,
cell micro-injection system and a liquid nitrogen storage facility. The new
biomedicine laboratory suite includes culture facilities to work at containment
level 3. A specialist electrophysiology laboratory uses both intracellular and
extracellular recording techniques to record and manipulate neuronal tissue.
The laboratory uses the latest in computer aided acquisition and analysis of synaptic activity.
Biomedical Research Facilities
Within the biomedical sciences area we have research groups working in several whole
organism models as well as primary cell models, particularly with primary brain-derived cell
types. We can offer several microscopy systems (EM, fluorescent and light) integrated with
advanced image analysis and 3D reconstruction software. Model experimental systems are
established for the study of neuronal structure and development, biochemical and
electrophysiological aspects of learning and memory, immunology and cell biology, ageing at
the organism and cellular levels, and genetic instability. These models range from mammalian
systems to the fruit fly Drosophila. The close association between organ and cell culture,
microscopy and analytical facilities (genomic, genetic, immunological and biochemical)
supports interdisciplinary research strategies, allowing parallel investigations from whole
organism to the molecular level.
Our Facilities
We are particularly well equipped to perform research or contract microscopic analysis of a
range of biological materials. A self-contained electron microscopy suite houses three electron
microscopes, all equipped with both image acquisition and analytical equipment and software.
This suite includes a large preparation facility for processing biological material, including
cryopreparation and immunocytochemistry. A separate specialist laboratory suite contains a
Leica NT laser scanning confocal microscope with networked Silicon Graphics work station and
image processing package that allows 3-D reconstruction and deconvolution. A new Leica
confocal microscope suite (both inverted and upright) has recently been installed and
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commissioned. In addition, we have excellent facilities for standard optical microscopy;
fluorescence microscopes with image analysis packages both on-line and off-line as well as
specialist microscopes equipped for micro-injection of cultured cells, injection of Drosophila
embryos and for yeast tetrad microdissection.
The Department has several cell and tissue culture facilities, each of which is dedicated to work
with primary or established animal or human cells or tissues, including organotypic slice culture
and one laboratory that houses lasers for examining the effects of photodynamic therapeutic
compounds upon neuronal growth. Cell biology work is supported by both a fluorescent
activated cell analyser, a time-lapse video imaging system, cell micro-injection system and a
liquid nitrogen storage facility.
The Department also houses a specialist electrophysiology laboratory which uses both
intracellular and extracellular recording techniques to record and manipulate neuronal tissue.
The laboratory uses the latest in computer aided acquisition and analysis of synaptic activity
and has the facility to use infrared optics. Other centralised research facilities also include
support for microbiology, DNA sequencing, real-time qPCR and Typhoon imager for
quantitative nucleic acid detection and other fluorescent studies, cryopreservation, scintillation
counting, photographic facilities (print and X-ray) and digital image processing.
For further information please refer to our web site: www.open.ac.uk/science/lifesciences/
The Biomedical Research Network
Director: Dr Robert Saunders
This research cluster is in the process of being set up. The five top level themes around which
activity is likely to focus are as follows:
Neuroscience
Cognitive neurodevelopment
Disease and Diagnosis
Biomolecular Damage
Cell Biology and Immunology
6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please
contact Jill Saffrey on 01908 654853 or email j.saffrey@open.ac.uk.
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Michelle Duke on
01908 659672 or email m.duke@open.ac.uk.
7. Where to send completed applications
Your application should include:
 Short application form
 CV
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: Tuesday 30th November
Post it to:
Name/Job title:
Michelle Duke/Recruitment Coordinator
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Department/Unit: Life Sciences
Address:
Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
Bucks
Post Code:
MK7 6AA
Or e-mail your application to: biology-recruitment@open.ac.uk
8. Selection process and date of interview
The interview panel will be chaired by Dr Jill Saffrey. The interviews will take place on Friday
10th December.
The selection process for this post will include a short oral presentation by the applicant of an
aspect of their previous research.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to
shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing data will not be accepted.
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