Associate Scientist Molecular Biomarkers

Based at Alderley Park, Medicines Discovery Catapult is a national facility connecting the UK community to accelerate innovative drug discovery. We provide unique scientific capabilities and act as a gateway to UK resources and expertise, supporting UK SMEs to drive the development and industrialisation of new approaches for the discovery of new medicines.

By validating new ways of discovering medicines and driving key talent and expertise across the sector, we will support the UK life sciences industry, SMEs and innovators to deliver growth for the UK economy and maintain the UK’s heritage position as a global leader in medicines R&D. Ultimately, new industrialised technologies are vital for delivering new medicines to patients, faster.

We are looking for the very best people to join the Medicines Discovery Catapult team in driving the UK to the forefront of commercial success for medicines discovery, committing to place the patient at the beginning of discovery and helping the sector move faster to the patient.

The values of the Catapult are:

- Excellence - we continually strive to deliver the best solutions for our partners and for each other. In everything we do, we instil confidence.
- Integrity - Our strong commitment to what we do and why we are here drives us to do the right thing for our partners and each other.
- Community - We’re a strong team, we work well together, and we respect each other.
- Innovation - We’re driven by the need to make a difference. We constantly look for ways to drive change in our sector and how we work.

**Role purpose**

There is an opportunity for an Associate Molecular Scientist to join our biomarkers research team, which has been established at MDC. This individual will work closely with our Molecular Biomarker Scientists, providing essential support across a range of molecular techniques such as histology, spatial proteomics and transcriptomics, covering technology platforms such as the GeoMx spatial profiler and single cell 10x Genomics platforms, along with Illumina NGS sequencing capability. This fully lab-based individual will support projects through deployment of established protocols and workflows, ensuring compliance with laboratory standards, including GCLP.

This opportunity to join a world class laboratory team in this high-profile national organisation, while collaborating with SMEs, Biotechs and leading academic institutes and researchers, should provide a fantastic platform for career development.

**Main duties and responsibilities**
- Provision of lab support to the molecular biomarker scientists, working with established protocols and methods to enable effective delivery of the project portfolio.
- Processing and sectioning of tissues for molecular analysis, including analysis using H&E and histology antibody staining procedures such as IHC and ISH.
- Perform a range of multiplex measurements including spatial transcriptomics and proteomics to a high standard.
- Perform data QC and data analysis
- Deliver high quality data in a complex and time pressured research team environment.
- Implementation of effective lab processes, experimental records, and safety.
- Effective communication and research collaboration skills, working with a wide range of colleagues.

**Qualifications, experience and knowledge**
- Experience of a range of analytical platforms, likely to include at least some of: Nanostring, NGS, RT-PCR, Protein, DNA and mRNA measurements.
- Experience working with FFPE or frozen tissue.
- Some experience with tissue histology would be advantageous, particularly for precious clinical tissues
- Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously in a highly collaborative and inter-disciplinary environment.
- Ability to work well in a team environment and manage own workloads.

**Closing date**

Friday 29th September 2023