Research Assistant in the Vitreoretinal Research Group

Applications are invited for a full-time Research Assistant to join the Vitreoretinal Research Group in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences.

The post will support a project using single-cell transcriptomics to characterise cells in human vitreous and surgically excised vitreoretinal membranes, improving understanding of retinal detachment and related disease.

The successful applicant will undertake the core laboratory work: processing fresh ocular samples; optimising tissue dissociation, cell recovery and viability; preparing high-quality single-cell suspensions; and undertaking or supporting single-cell RNA-sequencing library preparation and quality control. They will work with bioinformatics colleagues, help interpret analytical outputs, and contribute to figures, reports and publications. The role may include associated cell-culture or molecular-biology experiments.

Applicants should have a degree in biological sciences, biomedical sciences or a related discipline, with practical experience in molecular biology or genomics. Experience of next-generation sequencing library preparation and quality control is required, together with the ability to interpret experimental and sequencing results and communicate them clearly. Familiarity with R or similar analytical software, single-cell or low-input sequencing workflows, primary human tissue, Linux, Python or related bioinformatics tools would be advantageous. Some experience of mammalian cell culture would be useful but is not essential. Some flexibility is required to process fresh surgical samples.

The post is fixed-term for six months.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 6 months in the first instance.

This appointment requires a Research Passport application.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.