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We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior research technician to join the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) on a translational research project. SITraN is a purpose-built research facility which was opened in November 2010 by Her Majesty the Queen and awarded the Queen’s Anniversary prize for higher education in 2020 in recognition of having made an outstanding positive impact in patient’s lives. The Institute houses clinical and basic scientists researching neurodegenerative disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease (MND), Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

You will join a dynamic research team under the supervision of Prof Guillaume Hautbergue, Prof Dame Pamela Shaw and Prof Mimoun Azzouz with a focus on developing SRSF1-based gene therapy approaches in a C9orf72-ALS/FTD mouse model and patient-derived neurons. The successful candidate will have a robust track record of research experience in the in vivo handling of mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases, the tissue culture of primary neurons as well as molecular and cellular biology techniques such as western immunoblotting, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence microscopy. A passion for translational research in neurodegenerative diseases and experience in differentiating patient-derived neurons is an advantage. Team spirit and an impeccable work ethic are essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

• In vivo handling of mice and maintaining of health records.
• Tattooing and genotyping.
• Prepare mouse tissue for histological analysis.
• Grow and maintain human tissue cultured cells, including neural progenitors and differentiated neurons.
• Perform protein/RNA/DNA extractions, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR and MSD-ELISA.
• Data analysis.
• Undertake technical tasks, including keeping labs clean and tidy, cleaning incubators and hoods periodically and taking care of reagent stocks.
• Using, writing and amending Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) forms, Risk Assessments and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under legal requirements.
• Provide assistance and information to users (e.g COSHH forms, Risk Assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) as appropriate to the grade, referring to experienced technical staff and/or line manager as necessary.
• Prioritise own work within a general plan in conjunction with research group leader to meet deadlines over a medium term of 1-3 months.
• Carry out planning to ensure that periodic goals are met.
• Contribute to team meetings to update on project progress. 
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• A MSc/BSc in Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry or Molecular and Cellular Biology (assessed at: application)
• Experience of in vivo handling of mice and colony management (assessed at: application and interview)
• Experience of working in tissue culture (assessed at: application and interview)
• Experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques (assessed at: application and interview)
• Attention to detail and a proven ability to keep accurate and reliable records (assessed at: application and interview)
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and actively contribute to the future success of the immediate work area (assessed at: application and interview)
• Understanding of the health and safety issues relevant to the area and the ability to instil good health and safety practices within a team (assessed at: application and interview)
• Good organisational and time management skills (assessed at: application and interview)
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal (assessed at: application and interview)

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of cell reprogramming and neuronal cell differentiation (assessed at: application and interview)
• Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications (assessed at: application and interview)

Further Information

Grade: 6

Salary: £32,080 to £36,636 per annum

Work arrangement: Full-time

Duration: Fixed-term to 30/04/2027

Line manager: Guillaume Hautbergue, Professor of Translational RNA Biology

Direct reports: None

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/sitran

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Professor Guillaume Hautbergue on g.hautbergue@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 2252

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place within two weeks of the closing date.  This will consist of an interview and a presentation with a tour of the building. We plan to let successful candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within one week of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact rebecca.brown@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Technical Career Route
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.