Research Assistant (Fixed Term)

We are inviting applications for a talented and hard-working Research Assistant to contribute to an exciting Medical Research Council funded translational project with Respiratory Clinician Scientist Dr Akhilesh Jha in collaboration with Professor Clare Bryant

The research project titled "Mechanisms of inflammatory memory in the human respiratory mucosa" will seek to develop unique and innovative human experimental medicine inhaled challenge models for investigating the molecular drivers of immune responses in the lungs of healthy individuals and those with asthma.

The project will seek to characterise cellular responses and epigenetic changes that occur in vivo in humans after immune challenge with the Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) agonists and in vitro using primary epithelial cells, as well as co-culture with immune cells such as macrophages. The aim of the research is to develop novel approaches for treating airway inflammation.

The work will involve the handling, processing and storing human samples including sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, respiratory mucosal tissue, epithelial cells and blood. A range of experimental techniques involving primary cell culture including at Air-Liquid Interface (ALI), ELISA, Flow cytometry and preparatory steps for advanced molecular biology tools such as single-cell RNA seq, ATAC-seq and spatial transcriptomics.

The position is particularly suited to applicants with experience of handling human samples, molecular biology approaches and tissue culture. They will also contribute to and gain experience in aspects of clinical trials management and will receive training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) as required. Candidates are expected to have a BSc or equivalent degree.

The position will be based in the Heart and Lung Research Institute (HLRI) at the core of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus as well as in the NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility based in Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Fixed Term: Funding is available for this position until 27th August 2028.