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UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
RECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORM
Job Title:
Technician in Stem Cell Biology (fixed term)
School/Department:
School of Medicine, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells
Salary:
£22,029 - £26,274 depending on skills and experience. Salary
progression beyond this scale is subject to performance
Job Family and Level:
Technical Services Level 3
Contract Status:
This post will be offered on a fixed term contract to 15 April
2017.
Hours of Work:
Full time, 36.25 hours per week
Location:
Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park
Reporting to:
Professor of Stem Cell Biology
The Purpose of the New Role:
This post will recruit a talented, proactive technician on an exciting project funded by the British
Heart Foundation. The technical post has become available to join an established project (started
in 2012), which combines stem cell technology, Cas9/CRISPR gene targeting, cell phenotyping
and imaging. This is aimed at addressing our understanding of how polymorphisms in cell
receptors modulate heart function and -blocker activity
The person appointed to post will assist the lead postdoctoral researcher and PhD student working
on this project. In addition, they will work closely with collaborators in the cell signalling
department, including the postdoc that is supporting this arm of the research. The postholder will
also be involved in coordinating reagent exchange with partners in the project based at Imperial
College London, which may involve travel to London. The postholder will be expected to be
interactive and present their work at lab meetings, and at monthly Skype and quarterly face-face
all-partner meetings (in Nottingham or London)
The post will assist with culture, expansion, cardiomyocyte differentiation and cryo-banking of
parental and genome-engineered human pluripotent stem cells. They will assist in cell analysis,
including realtime PCR, immunostaining / confocal imaging and calcium imaging. There will be
training opportunities and the successful candidate will need to be a quick learner. An ability to
work in a team is essential to the role, as is a willingness to do some work out of hours and on
weekends, which is required by the fastidious cells.
Main Responsibilities
1.
Provide specialist technical support in human pluripotent stem cell culture,
cardiomyocyte differentiation and molecular biology, including working with
postdoctoral researchers and PhD students in this area. This will entail
becoming proficient in the routine culture, differentiation, flow cytometry, realtime PCR and immunocytochemical analysis of human pluripotent stem cells. It
will also involve gene cloning and genetic modification. Full training in all
% time
per year
50%
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
techniques will be given, although an existing level of experience would be
seen as an advantage. Weekend work will be required between 1-2 weekends
per month.
Liaise with team members involved in this project, who are based in
Nottingham and at Imperial College London. This will include reagent provision
and some travel between sites will be required.
Ensure standards of general tidiness and cleanliness are maintained.
Train students and new researchers in techniques and the safe and effective
use of equipment.
Contribute to day to day development and running of the Denning Group, and
prepare data for presentation and publication
Any other duties appropriate to the grade and role
20%
5%
10%
10%
5%
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Qualifications/
Education

Skills/Training







Other

Essential
Minimum of HNC in relevant
subject, or equivalent
qualifications plus considerable
work experience in a relevant
role OR substantial work
experience in a relevant role
Proven technical skills in cell
culture. Stem cell culture,
particularly of human pluripotent
stem cells, would be an
advantage, as would be the
ability to induce cardiomyocyte
differentiation
Expertise in molecular biology
techniques, including PCR.
Evidence of skills for
immunostaining, flow cytometry
and / or confocal analysis
Proven ability to work in a team
and collaboratively – evidence of
this would be beneficial.
Ability to assimilate data and
present to a scientific audience,
including project partner /
collaborators.
A willingness to travel
Ability for flexible working,
including contributing to out-ofhours and weekend cell
maintenance.
Willingness to adopt the Ethos
and Principles of the School of
Medicine to improve the student
experience.






Desirable
Additional qualifications in
laboratory skills e.g. Health
and Safety
Knowledge of cardiomyocyte
biology
Skills in gene editing and
genetic modification
Skills in gene cloning
Background in pharmacology
Understanding of badrenoceptor pathways.
Decision Making
i) taken independently by the role holder;
Manage own workload, time-management and workplans
Advise and solve routine queries
The organisation and prioritisation of the workload in the laboratory
ii) taken in collaboration with others;
Co-ordination and delivery of support and materials for running stem cell culture suite
Use judgement to seek appropriate help / assistance on non-routine and/or complex matters
iii) referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder.
Resolution of complex problems. Confidence to inform Line Manager of any problems
Additional Information
Scope of the Role
To undertake research and day-day management of a research project that requires a high degree
of competence in cell & molecular biology research and phenotypic / functional analysis. An
aptitude for critical thinking and a flexible approach to collaborative research is critical, since the
project will interact with other academic and / or industrial centres. The successful candidate will
be required to contribute to the seven days a week working pattern to maintain pluripotent cell
cultures and this will play a major role in ensuring the success of the project. They will also be
expected to make a significant contribution to the Stem Cell Biology Group via management,
training and co-ordination of specific initiatives. They will also contribute to occasional teaching to
the MSc Stem Cell Technology
Appendix 1
Stem Cell Biology
Academics
The Department of Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering and Modelling (STEM) comprises a team of
successful, young scientists with an interest in combining a range of state-of-the-art technologies
to further key basic questions and biomedical goals utilizing stem cell systems. The academics
comprise the Stem Cell Biology Group, Tissue Engineering Group and the Mathematical Modelling
Group. STEM academics are highly research active and have a current grant holding in excess of
£10m. Academics within STEM were instrumental in winning a £6.5m Doctoral Training Centre
Award held between Nottingham, Loughborough and Keele Universities, which is in the final
stages of training 50 PhD students over the a 5 year period (2009-2014). This award has been
renewed for another 5 year period from 2015-2020. The same University partners have also
received funding for a £6.3m EPSRC Centre in Regenerative Medicine.
The Stem Cell Biology group is within the Division of Cancer & Stem Cells and forms part of the
School
of
Medicine
(www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/research/themes/cancer-and-stemcells/index.aspx). Professor Chris Denning is applying his expertise in genetic modification and
gene targeting to human embryonic / induced pluripotent stem cells, particularly to establish
novel human disease models / methods for translational approaches such as drug development.
He is a partner in the £2.5m British Heart Foundation Centre for Regenerative Medicine that is
held jointly with Imperial College London. Dr Virginie Sottile investigates the in vitro
differentiation properties of both neural and mesenchymal stem cells, as well as their
differentiation in situ upon transplantation into the chick embryo. Dr. Alexey Ruzov investigates
how epigenetic modifications such as 5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine regulate cell fate and
development. During 2014-16, a two-phase recruitment process will add 4 staff from Lecturer to
Professor level to this department. New academic appointees to the department will include Dr.
Nick Hannan (joining from University of Cambridge on 1 st July 2015) to lead a programme on
hPSC differentiation in lung and gut lineages. Dr. Cathy Merry (joining from University of
Manchester on 1st Sept 2015) will bring her programme on Glucosaminoglycans (GAGs). During
2015/16 we will recruit a further Associate Professor and a Full Professor to the growing
department.
Included within the Tissue Engineering Group are Professor Kevin Shakesheff, who combines the
incorporation of biomolecules into novel scaffold materials for regeneration of tissues such as liver
and bone (www.nottingham.ac.uk/pharmacy/research/ddte/index.aspx). Kevin is also pioneering
the use of supercritical fluids to enhance cell survival on synthetic polymers. He is lead in the
£3.5m MRC Regenerative Medicine Hub for Accelular Technologies. Dr Felicity Rose focuses on the
tissue engineering of intestinal, bone and cartilage tissue using a variety of scaffolds and
bioreactor systems and is also engineering wound repair systems for corneal transplants. Dr Lee
Buttery is investigating the engineering of scaffolds to improve both 3D differentiation and clinical
delivery of both fetal osteoblasts and osteogenic progenitors derived from embryonic stem cells.
The application of mathematical modelling to regenerative medicine systems is a major interest of
Profs John King, Marcus Owen and Simon Preston. Collectively, their interests within Centre for
Mathematical Medicine & Biology (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cmmb/index.aspx) include
development and validation of mathematical models for tissue growth, cell signalling and
differentiation.
Facilities
Housed within the purpose-built laboratories and offices of the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences
building, STEM is directly linked to the University Medical School, Fertility Clinic and Clinical Grade
Stem Cell & Tissue Processing Laboratory. STEM scientists also have a close proximity with
physical scientists, including electrical / optical / manufacturing engineers, polymer biologists,
chemists, physicists etc.
STEM has fully equipped molecular biology laboratories that are complimented by dedicated
facilities for radioisotope studies, for chick embryo incubation, for bacterial culture, for tissue
dissection/ preparation, for PCR set-up and in situ hybridization, for histology/
immunocytochemistry and for cell imaging. In addition, the culture suite is one of the best in an
academic institution within the UK if not Europe and has 21 class II culture hoods dedicated to
human stem cell culture, imaging and manipulation. Our most recent acquisitions of a bespoke
£1m stem cell culture & differentiation robot, automated Patchliner electrophysiology, CardioXcyte
impedance system and an Operetta high content confocal plate imager. These have been acquired
through grants including a £1.3m BBSRC industrial partnership award with Syngenta, a £2.3m
EPSRC award and a £715K MRC award. The tissue engineering laboratories include a supercritical
fluid laboratory and state of the art facilities for scaffold bioengineering. Complimentary
computing facilities and IT support are available, with dedicated computing laboratories for our
mathematical modellers.
Between the 3 major University hospital sites, the Medical School offers a full range of clinical
departments and clinical academics. Elsewhere in the University, a new Veterinary School at the
Sutton Bonington campus provides additional opportunities for collaboration.
Teaching
In 2007, STEM started the world’s first taught Masters Course in Stem Cell Technology. This
course has a capacity for 16 students each year, who typically comprise 6 from the UK and 10
internationals. It has attracted funding from BBSRC for 12 Scholarships (2007-2010) and 12 from
MRC (2009-2012). The course comprises 6 Modules, which include 1, Cell & Developmental
Molecular Biology; 2, Pluripotent Stem Cells; 3, Adult Stem Cells; 4, Translation Technologies for
Stem Cells; 5, Transferrable Skills; 6, a 3 month Summer Research Project. More details can be
found at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/courses/medicine/medical-sciences/stem-celltechnology-msc.aspx.
The University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a global-leading, research-intensive university with campuses in
the UK, Malaysia and China. Our reputation for world-class research has yielded major scientific
breakthroughs such as Nobel-winning MRI techniques, drug discovery, food technologies and
engineering solutions for future economic, social and cultural progress.
Already ranked among the UK’s elite universities and global polls for research excellence, our
reputation for world-class research has been further enhanced with the 2014 results of the
Research Excellence Framework (REF).
In addition to scoring highly in quality rankings covering major disciplines in science, engineering,
the social sciences, medicine, business and the arts, it is Nottingham’s research power rankings
which demonstrate the impressive volume of excellent research which is carried out. We are now
ranked 8th in the UK on a measure of ‘research power’ which takes into account both the quality of
research and the number of research-active staff who made REF returns, confirming Nottingham’s
place in the top tier of the world’s elite higher education institutions.
The main University campus is set beside a lake, in an extensive belt of woodland, parks and
playing fields. The 330 acre University Park Campus is the focus of life for more than 32,000
students and houses the majority of the University’s academic schools and many of the central
Services. The Jubilee campus is situated 2 miles away from the University Park, and provides
extra capacity. The University Medical School is situated next to the University Park. Together
with the University Hospital, it forms the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).
University of Nottingham Medical School
Nottingham has a strong reputation for both clinical medicine and teaching. As one of the most
popular medical schools in the country, it is able to select excellent students and produce and
attract good junior doctors.
The School of Medicine comprises the Divisions of Cancer and Stem Cell Sciences, Child Health,
Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Clinical Neuroscience; Epidemiology and Public Health; Primary
Care; Psychiatry and Applied Psychology; Rehabilitation and Ageing; Medical Sciences and
Graduate Entry Medicine; Respiratory Medicine; Rheumatology, Orthopaedics and Dermatology
and the Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre. The School also hosts the School of Medicine
Education Centre, the Centre for Interprofessional Education and Learning, the Clinical Research
Facility, the Clinical Skills Centre, NIHR design Service East Midlands, Nottingham Clinical Trials
Unit, PRIMIS and Medical Imaging Unit.
The School of Medicine brings together in one School staff undertaking research for the benefit of
the health of patients. It includes all primary care and hospital-based medical and surgical
disciplines, principally in the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital Nottingham Campuses,
Royal Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and also at the University’s main campus and at the
King’s Meadow and Jubilee Campuses. Most of our School’s Senior Researchers and Teachers are
also clinicians who dedicate 50% of their time to patient care within the Nottingham University
Hospitals NHS Trust & Royal Derby Hospitals NHS Trust. This close juxtaposition brings cuttingedge clinical care to our patients and clinical relevance to our research and teaching. We are
closely integrated with our full time NHS clinical colleagues, many of whom are themselves
leaders in research and teaching and who work closely with the University and this increases the
mutual benefit from integration between the University and NHS.
Mission:
Our mission is to improve human health and quality of life locally, nationally and internationally
through outstanding education, research and patient care.
Priorities:
1. Teaching and learning, particularly training tomorrow’s doctors and teaching specialised
postgraduates
2. Research and research training: We will perform and support the highest quality “big”
research which impacts on human health and disease
3. Partnership with the NHS and other healthcare providers
4. Visibility and profile of the School of Medicine: We will do what we do better, and we
will tell others about it
Ethos and principles:
1. Having people and patients at the heart of all we do: our teaching and learning, our
research and our patient care
2. Contribution within the School of Medicine and to society beyond our immediate
roles; helpfulness and service
3. Openness and fairness, with particular emphasis on communication (both internal and
external) and on equality and diversity among students and staff
4. Personal and group responsibility for all aspects of our work, within a culture of
opportunity and reward
Our research spans 11 major themes, ranging from cancer to vascular medicine. We work closely
with industry and the NHS. Our world-leading research ranges from basic and translational science
through to clinical trials, epidemiology, and health services research. Our clear theme is improving
human health, underpinning a vibrant postgraduate research training programme leading to PhD
or DM. Many of our academics are clinicians, using their expertise to provide cutting edge
specialised treatment to NHS patients; reflecting our ethos that patients are at the heart of all we
do.
In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework the four Units of Assessment included in the School
of Medicine were among the six most improved in the whole University since RAE 2008: 82% of
our research in 2014 was graded as world-leading or internationally excellent. Our research spans
11 major themes and ranges from basic and translational science through to clinical trials,
epidemiology, and health services research. We work closely with industry and the NHS. Our
research is underpinned by a strong postgraduate research training programme leading to PhD or
DM. Our major research themes are in Cancer and Stem Cells; Child Health, Obstetrics &
Gynaecology; Clinical Neurosciences; Dermatology; Digestive Diseases; Epidemiology and Public
Health; Mental Health; Musculoskeletal physiology and disease; Primary Care; Rehabilitation and
Ageing; Respiratory Medicine; and Renal Medicine. The School of Medicine trains tomorrow’s
doctors on a vibrant undergraduate medical course with a unique intercalated BMedSci, as well in
a specialised graduate-entry programme built around clinical problem solving. We teach medicine
and related disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. We have a dedicated clinical
academic training programme and are committed to training PhD and doctoral research students
and to supporting postdoctoral clinicians and scientists in their research.
The School of Medicine holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to
advance the representation of women in science, technology, engineering, medicine and
mathematics (STEMM). The award reflects our commitment to promoting equality and diversity.
Please see http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/about/athena-swan.aspx.
Professor John Atherton is Dean of the School of Medicine.
For further information, please see our website http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine
Nottingham
Central within the East Midlands, Nottingham is a vibrant and prosperous city with something to
offer everyone. It is one of the UK’s leading retail centres and has a huge variety of restaurants,
bars and nightclubs which attract people from all over the UK. Culturally, it has good theatres, an
arena which attracts both national and international performers and a range of historical interests
relating to subjects such as the lace industry, Lord Byron and DH Lawrence. Nottingham is also
known for sport, being the home of Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Forest and Notts
County Football Clubs, the National Water Sports Centre and the Nottingham Tennis Centre. There
is a good network of roads with easy access to the M1 and the A1, a fast frequent rail service to
London and other major cities. Nottingham East Midlands Airport is only eighteen miles away.
The city is set within a county of outstanding natural beauty which includes Sherwood Forest,
Wollaton Park, lively market towns and wonderful historic buildings. Housing is relatively
inexpensive and, in addition to the two Universities, there are excellent schools and colleges
available.
To find out more about Nottingham, use the following links:
Nottingham County Council – Tourism
http://www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/
University of Nottingham
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk
Zoopla (Guide to local properties)
http://www.zoopla.co.uk/
My Nottingham (information on schools, term dates, school transport etc.)
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=8524