Research Technician (Fixed-Term)

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Detail information about job Research Technician (Fixed-Term). Terms and conditions vacancy

Applications are invited for the above post based in the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre (CBTRC), Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen’s Medical Centre.

Children’s brain tumours account for 25% of childhood cancer and although treatments have improved, we still only cure 50% of children diagnosed in the UK every year. Moreover, a substantial proportion of those cured are left with disabilities due to treatment related side-effects. Improvements in treatment and outcome will most likely come from a better understanding of their underlying biology. The CBTRC was set up to address this issue and brings together multidisciplinary researchers from clinical, translational and basic science arenas, providing knowledge to optimize health outcomes.

The CBTRC links over 60 researchers from ten departments across the University and Nottingham University Hospital. Research is carried out on a number of malignant brain tumours of childhood including Ependymoma, Medulloblastoma and Glioblastoma Multiforme. The centre has strong clinical links with the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group, the International Society of Paediatric Oncology and the Children’s Oncology Group.

Established in 1997, the CBTRC brings together leading healthcare professionals and researchers. Their findings (published in leading journals including Nature, Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology) guide national and international developments in brain tumour research and clinical practice, leading to new methods of research to help find a cure, whilst minimising the risk of disability.

The Research Technician will investigate whether cannabidiol has an anti-cancer effect on paediatric Ependymoma and high grade glioma cells. These are both highly malignant tumours with current treatment regimens highly toxic and recurrences common. There is a need for the development of novel therapies for these patients which may be translated to the clinical setting rapidly. This research forms part of the pre-clinical phase into the evaluation of the potential use of cannabidiol in paediatric brain tumours and is jointly funded by The Astro Brain Tumour Fund, Brain Tumour Action and The Jessica Hope Foundation.

The successful candidate will be required to culture cells in both 2 and 3-dimensional systems and extract high quality nucleic acids from treated and non-treated cells for elucidation of any DNA/gene expression changes due to treatment.

Specifically, experience of tumour cell culture is required including multiplexing spheroid volume, Resazurin and acid phosphatase viability assays for high-throughput screening of 3-dimensional tumour spheroids and stem cell neurospheres. The successful candidate should also have expertise in post genomic validation studies including cell viability and cytotoxicity assays, flow cytometry, Western blotting, Immunohistochemistry, Immunofluorescence, ImageJ software, metabolic activity assays and generation of tissue microarrays from generated spheroids.

The post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for a period of 11 months on a full-time basis (or part-time job share).

Applications will be considered by CV and application. Informal enquiries may be addressed to Lisa Storer, tel: 0115 82 30328. Or email [email protected]. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

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The University of Nottingham is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.