"Research Associate"

The University of Manchester - Division of Pharmacy and Optometry

The research teams led by Dr Elena Bichenkova and Dr Costas Demonacos within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at the University of Manchester wish to appoint an enthusiastic and motivated laboratory-based Research Associate to work on exciting project exploring potent inactivation of dysfunctional microRNA sequences as a strategy against abnormal gene expression to achieve therapeutic benefits. This research is funded by Medical Research Council (MRC) under the MRC Gap fund scheme for early-stage development of new healthcare interventions.

Building upon our previous success and decades of experience with microRNA-inactivating bioconjugates, the successful candidate will be involved in the development of protection strategies against their rapid biological degradation in serum by shielding their most vulnerable parts with chemical alterations to make them resistant to cellular enzymes. The main focus of the recruited Research Associate will be to boost the overall potency of the bioconjugates by increasing their survival time in body fluids without compromising their functional activity and ability to work synergistically with a cellular machinery.

During this position, the post-holder will produce a series of differently protected microRNA-inactivating bioconjugates and measure their biological stability in serum, as well as their functional activities, both in vitro and in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer cells.

Applicants are expected to have a PhD (or nearing completion) in synthetic or supramolecular chemistry, chemical biology or biomaterials, with experience of molecular and cell biology. Experience working with nucleic acids and peptides and their analogues will be advantageous. Knowledge and understanding of statistical analysis and key analytical techniques (e.g., NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, UV, fluorescence) will be highly valued.

Evidence of a publication portfolio in scientific journals will strengthen your application, as will experience in interdisciplinary collaborations at the interface of synthetic, supramolecular and analytical chemistry with molecular and cell biology.

Informal enquiries can be made directly to Dr Elena Bichenkova (E-mail: Elena.V.Bichenkova@manchester.ac.uk) and Dr Costas Demonacos (E-mail: Constantinos.Demonacos@manchester.ac.uk).

Application forms and further particulars can be obtained at http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/jobs/ or from: Dr Elena Bichenkova

Tel: +44 7745 390434

Email Elena.V.Bichenkova@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk