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Research Fellow

Employer
University College London
Location
London (Greater) (GB)
Salary
Grade: 7, 1.0FTE, Salary £32,817 p.a. (or £35,965 including London Allowances if applicable)
Closing date
15 Jan 2021

View more

Sector
Academic, Chemistry, Healthcare, Materials Science
Contract Type
Research Fellowship / Post Doc
Hours
Full Time
Accreditation Requirements
Not specified

Job description  

Research Fellow Grade: 7, 1.0FTE, Salary £32,817 p.a. (or £35,965 including London Allowances if applicable) Department: UCL Ear Institute Location: The Open University, Milton Keynes  

 

Reports to:

Dr Nazia Mehrban, Dr James Bowen, Prof. Peter Taylor and Prof. Martin Birchall

 

Context

A full time Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is available at UCL to work on an EPSRC-funded study titled ‘synthesis of novel silsesquioxane-peptide biomaterial with controllable stiffness‘. The project builds on a previously published novel biomolecule developed by UCL and OU teams and will include the synthesis of novel silsesquioxane-peptide biomaterials with controllable stiffness.The project involves collaboration with the laboratories of Prof. Peter Taylor and Dr. James Bowen (The Open University, Milton Keynes) where the postholder will be based. The position is available for 1 year.

UCL is a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment that provides excellent opportunities for training and career development with UCL Ear Institute being a leading centre for hearing research in Europe. The materials cluster at the Open University in Milton Keynes offers state of the art laboratories for the synthesis of novel materials together with a wide range of equipment for characterisation and physical properties measurement.

 

Job Description:

The post-holder will be expected to carry out synthesis and click chemistry-based experiments with optimisation of solvent chemistry towards producing an implantable novel silsesquioxane/protein hybrid material. These materials will be tested against clinically-relevant commercially-available materials for stability, stiffness and cell toxicity.This research post will require the individual to work independently under the guidance of Prof. Peter Taylor, Prof. Martin Birchall, Dr. James Bowen and Dr. Nazia Mehrban. The post-holder will be expected to have a proven track record in high impact research from the initiation of the research to completion of the research manuscript.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Design and undertake laboratory-based research on the synthesis and optimisation of a silsesquioxane/peptide biomolecule (including purification and scale-up)
  • Establish non-copper catalysed click methods using strain-promoted azide−alkyne cycloaddition and optimisation of the solvent system
  • Characterise the material including morphology, mechanical properties, degradation and porosity
  • Conduct protein-based assays towards in vitro cell toxicity and proliferation studies
  • Communicate and regularly report data at collaborator meetings, seminars and conferences
  • Analyse data and work closely with other lab members to produce high-quality research publications for peer-reviwed journals
  • Manage research and administrative responsibilities, includining project timeline and coordination between the UCL and OU research groups

 

Person specification

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

 

PhD degree in a relevant chemistry subject

E

High quality academic research using methods mentioned in Job Description

E

Publications in internationally refereed journals on topics mentioned in Job Description

E

Experience in preparing work for publication and presenting work at national and international meetings

E

Experience of designing experiments and carrying them through to a successful conclusion

E

Postdoctoral research experience

E

Experience of synthesis/preparation and analysis of organometallic materials, preferably organosilicon materials

E

Experience of synthesising, characterising and handling small amounts of materials

E

Experience of click chemistry

D

Experience of using model compounds to develop synthetic routes to more complex targets

D

Experience in peptide chemistry

D

Experience in material characterisation techniques

D

Experience of the use of synthetic materials in biological settings

D

   

Skills and abilities

Proven ability and commitment to carry out high quality original research, leading to publication in peer-reviewed journals

E

Ability to work to strict deadlines and manage time effectively; good organisational skills

E

Proven research aptitude and laboratory experience

E

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

E

Present data publicly in poster and platform form

E

Manage time and work to deadlines

E

Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills

E

Proficiency in synthesis/preparation and analysis of organometallic materials, preferably organosilicon materials

E

An understanding of materials science

D

An understanding of clinical applications of synthetic materials

D

   

Personal attributes

Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborate and communicate with clinical researchers and basic scientists

E

The highest ethical and professional standards in research and education

E

Commitment to academic research

E

Highly self motivated and hard working

E

Commitment to continuous professional development

E

Attention to detail, including meticulousness about record-keeping

E

Commitment to UCL's policy of equal opportunity

E

Commitment to work harmoniously with colleagues of all cultures and backgrounds

E

Ability to innovate, problem-solve and trouble-shoot

E

Highly self-motivated, persistent, and hard-working

E

   

­

 

Apply Informal enquiries should be made to Prof. Peter Taylor (peter.taylor@open.ac.uk) and/or Dr Nazia Mehrban (n.mehrban@ucl.ac.uk).

 

Applications

A job description and person specification can also be found at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ear/jobs

Apply online at www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/jobs

In case of any difficulties accessing the on-line recruitment system, please contact ear.hr@acl.ac.uk for advice.

 

Appointment

The post is offered at Grade 7 on point 29 of the UCL salary scale, which is £32,817 (or £35,328 inclusive of London Allowance). The appointment is available immediately and is funded for a period of 12 months.

 

Terms and Conditions and Staff Benefits

Please follow the links in the advertisement for information on UCL Terms and Conditions for Research and Support Staff and Employee Benefits.

 

Diversity in the Workplace

UCL recognises that in our society, individuals and groups are discriminated against both directly and indirectly on the grounds of: age, colour, disability, ethnic origin, gender, HIV status, marital, social or economic status, nationality, race, religious beliefs, responsibility for dependants, sexual orientation, trades union membership or unrelated criminal convictions.

To counteract discrimination, UCL is committed to actively opposing all forms of discrimination, raising awareness and tackling the causes and consequences.  It is committed to providing a learning and working environment in which the rights and dignity of all its members are respected and which is free from discrimination, prejudice, intimidation and all forms of harassment including bullying; to making staff and students feel valued, motivated and enabled to do their best work and to creating a safe, welcoming working environment accessible to all.

The need to continuously update and improve our knowledge and skills in regard to assuring diversity means that all our courses include and address relevant aspects of the diversity agenda as required.

The online training consists of a package called Diversity in the Workplace and provides essential, up to date information about Diversity in UCL.  It takes about an hour to complete.  Completion is a requirement for all new starters within 6 weeks of joining UCL; details will be provided with their contract of employment.

 

Research Governance:

The post holder will be expected to be familiar with the requirements of the UCL research governance frameworks and to comply with university policies pertaining to research governance.  The UCL research governance framework can be found on the UCL website at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/joint-rd-unit/

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