Ref Number
B02-04872
Professional Expertise
Research and Research Support
Department
School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
See advert text
Contract Type
Permanent
Working Type
Hybrid (20% - 80% on site)
Available For Secondment
No
Closing Date
09-Apr-2023
The EGA Institute for Women’s Health is an exciting and dynamic environment, and its mission is to bring together the expertise of clinicians and researchers from a diverse range of disciplines so that they can deliver excellence and innovation in research, clinical practice, education, and training in order to make a real and sustainable difference to women's and babies’ health locally, nationally and worldwide.
There is a post available to facilitate the development of a novel diagnostic test for fetal lung maturity using raman and near infra read spectroscopy and to detect surfactant components in clinical samples ranging from from infants and children to adults ventilated for respiratory infection in intensive care. This Postdoctoral Scientist post is funded until 30 June 2024 to be appointed at the UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health in collaboration with UCLH Women’s Health (Neonatal Medicine) and University of Southampton. This collaboration with the Optoelectronics Institute of University of Southampton represents an opportunity for interdisciplinary training in state of the art application of optic technology in a clinical setting. The Project is funded under a joint grant from the EPSRC and will facilitate proof-of-principle demonstration of biomolecular phenotyping of patients with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) using the chips fabricated in this project and validation of results against parallel electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESIMS) analyses. Although ESI-MS analyses phospholipids and proteins with unrivalled sensitivity and specificity, its use as a routine near bedside device in the clinical setting is precluded by the high capital cost and the technical involvement required. The resultant chips and instrument will provide a rapid low-cost approach to clinical diagnosis with minimal user intervention.
The post holder will be a trained scientist with a PhD in biochemistry, engineering (optics) or a related discipline, with experience of mass spectrometry. If the PhD has not yet been awarded, the initial appointment will be at Grade 6B spine point 25 with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis. You would need to have an understanding and knowledge of protein biochemistry, as well as experience with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESIMS) analyses. Experience with ELISA, SDS-PAGE and Western blotting would be desirable.
Salary range is UCL Grade 7, spine 29 - 34: £39,508 - £44,945 per annum including London Allowance; £4200. This role is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 30 June 2024. Flexible Working Statement: We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible. This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information. A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page. If you have any queries about the role, please contact Jens Madsen; j.madsen@ucl.ac.uk. If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact Christina Ahlfors: c.ahlfors@ucl.ac.uk. The UCL Ways of Working supports colleagues to be successful and happy at UCL through sharing expectations around how we work – please visit www.ucl.ac.uk/ways-of-working to find out more. As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below: • 27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days • Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme • Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan • Immigration loan • Relocation scheme for certain posts • On-Site nursery • On-site gym • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay • Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service • Discounted medical insurance Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles; women. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Gold award, in recognition of our long-term commitment and 'beacon' status in advancing gender equality. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/ Please also visit EGA IfWH webpage: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/womens-health/ega-institute-womens-health