University of Birmingham
Job title:
Research Fellow (BHF) – College of Medical and Dental Sciences – 102788 – Grade 7
Company
University of Birmingham
Job description
Job Description:
Position Details
College of Medical and Dental Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £34,980
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2027
Closing date: 7th February 2024
Background
The project grant, which was awarded by the British Heart Foundation, will support a project focusing on the role of protein Galectin-9 (Gal-9) in blood clotting and inflammation processes. Our research team want to find out how Gal-9 makes components of blood activate and clump together – and plan to produce an antibody that can block this protein. We also aim to establish whether the amount of Gal-9 in someone’s blood is linked to the presence of thrombo-inflammatory diseases. This project contributes to early scientific discovery of Gal-9 as a novel therapeutic target to attenuate thrombo-inflammation in vascular inflammatory diseases associated with an increased risk of thrombotic complications.
Role Summary
- Identify novel pathways of Gal-9-mediated platelet activation.
- Characterise effects of Gal-9 on supporting thrombosis, release of platelet-derived inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and platelet-mediated leukocyte recruitment.
- Develop effective blocking strategy Gal-9-induced thrombo-inflammation in vitro and in vivo.
- Assess levels of soluble and platelet-bound Gal-9 in stratified patient cohorts with deep vein thrombosis and peripheral artery disease and its correlation with known thrombo-inflammatory markers.
- Contribute to paper writing.
- Analyse and interpret research findings and results.
- Contribute to generating funding.
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
- Assess platelet activation and proinflammatory phenotype with flow cytometry, western blot and proteomics.
- Characterise the effect of Gal-9 on thrombosis, platelet-mediated leukocyte recruitment and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps in vitro using flow-based adhesion assay, chemotaxis assay, transmigration assay and confocal microscopy.
- Describe the role of Gal-9 in thrombosis in vivo using murine deep vein thrombosis model.
- Measure soluble pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and adhesion molecules in serum which are involved in platelet and immune cell activation using Luminex.
- Assess the generation of PEVs following Gal-9 stimulation through the Exoview platform and Nano-cyte imaging.
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
- Contribute to writing bids for research funding
- Analyse and interpret data
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
- Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
- Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
- Undertake management/administration arising from research
- Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
- Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
- Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews *
- Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters *
- Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research *
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines*
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
- These indicative responsibilities may also be included in a research role at grade 6.
Person Specification
- First degree in area of specialism (Biomedical Sciences/Immunology) and Phd (or one near to completion) (Background in platelet biology/Inflammation would be highly desirable).
- High level analytical capability
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly
- Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
- Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
- Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
Further particulars can be found
Informal enquiries to Asif Iqbal ,
We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone .
Expected salary
Location
United Kingdom
Job date
Thu, 18 Jan 2024 08:57:26 GMT
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