Post Title:
Research Associate
Institute/School/Department:
National Heart and Lung Institute
Group/Section:
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Respiratory Medicine at St Mary’s Hospital:
Respiratory Science/Respiratory Infections
Tuberculosis Research Unit
Airway Disease Infection
Imperial Clinical Respiratory Research Unit
(ICRRU
Job Family and Level:
Academic and Research, Level B
Salary Range:
£32,100 - £40,720 per annum
Duration:
Full-time, fixed-term for 20 months in the first
instance
Accountable to:
Professor Peter Openshaw, BRC Respiratory
Theme Lead
Research Reporting to:
Professor Peter Openshaw
Dr Trevor T. Hansel
Professor Sebastian Johnston
Professor Ajit Lalvani
Dr Onn Min Kon
Professor Robin Shattock
Key Internal Relationships
Professor Peter Openshaw, Dr Trevor Hansel,
Professor Sebastian Johnston, Professor Ajit
Lalvani, Professor Robin Shattock, Dr Onn Min
Kon (Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer), Dr
Mike Edwards, Dr Ross Walton, and other
members of NIHR BRC Respiratory Theme, the
Laboratory Manager and other scientific and
technical staff within the Respiratory Infections
and Airway Disease Infection Sections
Key External Relationships
Nicola Costin-Davis, CPG1 Clinical Transformation Manager, Imperial College
Healthcare NHS Trust, Paul Craven, Clinical
Research Operations Manager, BRC Office,
Centre for Respiratory Infection (CRI), the MRC
and
Asthma
UK
Centre
in
Allergic
Mechanisms of Asthma.
Location:
St Mary’s Campus, Paddington. The post will be
based in Imperial Clinical (Respiratory)
Research Unit (ICRRU), St. Mary's Hospital;
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Research programme
Respiratory Medicine at St Mary’s Hospital
The Respiratory Medicine section focuses researches on host responses to viral
respiratory infections and tuberculosis.
Dr Trevor Hansel has a specialist interest in phase II clinical testing of new antiinflammatory therapies for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), and has worked on a large study on the effects of smoking cessation. Novel
methods have been developed for nasal allergen challenge, human whole blood flow
cytometry to demonstrate pharmacodynamic activity of anti-inflammatory drugs, and
to measure cytokines and chemokines in nasal and bronchial mucosal lining fluid.
See: http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/nhli/respiratory/airway_disease_infection/icrru/
Professor Peter Openshaw works on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza,
and especially in performing RSV infection challenge in mice and man. He also leads
the national MOSAIC study (Mechanisms of Severe Influenza and Infection
Consortium) and is the NIHR BRC Respiratory Theme. For further information see:
http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/nhli/respiratory/respinfect/
Professor Sebastian Johnston's section works on mechanisms of asthma and
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the role of respiratory viral
infections in these diseases, with a particular interest in acute exacerbations and the
role of rhinovirus infections. Dr Ross Walton is an experienced cell biologist working
with Prof Johnston. For further information visit the following web page:
http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/nhli/respiratory/airway_disease_infection/.
The Tuberculosis Research Unit, established and led by Professor Ajit Lalvani,
comprises over a dozen scientists, research nurses, clinical research fellows and
graduate students. The group’s research focus includes probing the fundamental
immunological control points in the natural history and biology of TB infection, as well
as translational research to develop and validate improved biomarkers of TB
infection, disease and treatment response.
Professor Shattock has recently been appointed to Imperial and leads a group of
scientists group working on vaccines against mucosal infections.
Dr Onn Min Kon leads the clinical service that cares for patients with TB. For further
information see: http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/nhli/respiratory/respinfect/tbimmunology/
NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and BRC Respiratory Theme
Imperial NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is a partnership between Imperial
College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London. It is only one of five
BRCs in England. The NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) provides
funding for individual projects, which address the early testing and exploration of new
ways of treating and preventing ill health in human participants. For further
information visit the following web page: http://imperialbrc.org/home
Respiratory Research in the NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) aims
to develop novel treatment strategies for the major respiratory diseases in the UK.
Facilities include excellent clinical services for patients with lung disease associated
with state of the art clinical and laboratory research facilities for innovative research
across the spectrum of respiratory disease. For further information visit the following
web page: http://imperialbrc.org/our-research/research-themes/respiratory-disease
The NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has awarded the BRC
Respiratory Theme (one of several Themes under the NIHR Imperial BRC) funding to
undertake research on “Nasal Challenges with Allergen and a Range of Microbial
Constituents”. Professor Peter Openshaw is the NIHR BRC Respiratory Theme
Lead.
The Purpose of the Post
Under the overall direction of the NIHR BRC Respiratory Theme Lead, you will work
with Dr Trevor Hansel to support NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)
funded research study “Nasal Challenges with Allergen and a Range of Microbial
Constituents”. This involves developing and carrying out methods to assess the nasal
mucosal immune response to a variety of challenge agents delivered by nasal spray.
A series of nasal challenge studies will be developed based on specific and innate
stimuli: grass pollen (in subjects with hay fever out of season), toll-like receptor (TLR)
agonists including poly-IC and a lipopolyaccharide (LPS), and tuberculin (in subjects
with latent tuberculosis, and controls). Serial samples of mucosal lining fluid will be
taken by nasosorption with strips of synthetic absorptive matrix (SAM), and
inflammatory mediators (cytokines, chemokines and prostanoids) measured in nasal
eluate. In addition, from nasal curettage specimens, gene expression (mRNA) will be
measured by transcriptomics; flow cytometry will be performed to assess cellular
immunology. In this way we shall perform detailed nasal mucosal immunology
assessments to characterise the inflammatory response to the range of stimuli.
These human challenge models will be developed in the context of translational
medicine for respiratory viral infections, tuvberculosis and allergy. We hope to identify
targets for therapy, provide biomarkers, and develop clinical challenge models to
judge the effects of new drugs, vaccines and immunotherapy.
This project will cover:
 Innate responses to pathogen –associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) via
toll-like receptors (TLRs)
 Specific and innate responses to allergens
 Virus infections: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human rhinovirus
(HRV)
 Responses to lipopolysaccharide and adjuvants
 Tuberculosis (TB) immune responses
 Immune regulation via Tregs and Th17 pathways
These various areas will require intellectual and practical guidance from various
research leaders within the respiratory BRC (Openshaw, Hansel, Johnston, Lalvani,
Shattock, Kon, Dr Mike Edwards and Dr Ross Walton).
Ideally, you would be adept at working with human blood and tissue and handling
clinical specimens, have experience of flow cytometry (including intracellular cytokine
staining), cell culture, cell sorting, cytokine and chemokine measurement and of
handling pathogens. In addition, you will be expected to work on submission of
publications to refereed journals and to assist in attracting external research funding.
Research Duties
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To take initiatives in the planning of research
To direct the work of small research teams
To identify and develop suitable techniques, and apparatus, for the collection
and analysis of data
To conduct data analysis
To ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times
To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings
To write reports for submission to research sponsors
To present findings to colleagues and at conferences
To submit publications to refereed journals
To provide guidance to staff and students
To attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary
To develop contacts and research collaborations within the College and the
wider community
To promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College
To provide guidance to PhD Students
Contribute to bids for research grants
To conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision
To maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental Work
To actively participate in the research programme of the Group and Unit
To publish in high quality journals and to present data at national and
international meetings
To participate in Group/Unit research meetings and internal seminars
Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the
requirements of the project demand
To collaborate with other allied scientists within Imperial College and
elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate
To contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s/Unit’s laboratories and,
facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the
laboratories
Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research
students and research assistants as required.
To comply with the College, Division, and Unit safety practices and to attend
courses on safety when appropriate
Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as
Head of Division/Department/Section
Other Duties
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To undertake appropriate administration tasks
To attend relevant meetings
To undertake any necessary training and/or development
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.
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications:
Essential
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First degree (2:1 or 1:1) or equivalent qualification
PhD
in
immunology,
microbiology,
allergy/asthma/respiratory,
inflammation or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research/
industrial or commercial experience
Knowledge / Experience:
Essential
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Substantial relevant research experience with human blood and tissue
samples
Understanding of the immunology of infection, innate and specific immune
responses, allergy and immunoregulation
Knowledge of the biology of allergy and asthma, viral and TB infection
Experience in clinical research in at least one of the following: infectious
disease, immunology, microbiology, asthma and allergy
Knowledge of research methods and statistical procedures
Practical experience within a research environment and/or publication in
relevant and refereed journals
Dealing with specific groups of people, e.g. sponsors, patients
Practical experience in a broad range of techniques including human
specimen handling, flow cytometry, immunoassays, cell sorting
Computer literate with a good knowledge of different computer programs
with experience in data presentation and statistical analyses
Experience with the use of imaging software would be advantageous.
Experience of tissue culture, flow cytometry and in vivo models
Track record and experience of successfully preparing articles for
publication in high quality journals
Skills and Abilities:
Essential
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Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature
Ability to develop and apply new concepts
Creative approach to problem-solving
Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide
range of people
Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and
succinctly for publication
Ability to direct the work of a small research team and motivate others to
produce a high standard of work
Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision
Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
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Advanced computer skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets and
the Internet
Other:
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Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and
cooperative
Flexible attitude towards work
Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times
Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role
Willingness to travel both within the United Kingdom and abroad to
conduct research and attend conferences