Preclinical Research Assistant

What can we offer you?

Apart from job satisfaction, we can offer you:

YOURSELF

- 25 days’ holiday (with the option to buy more)

HEALTH

- Private Healthcare
- Optional dental insurance, health assessments and health cash plans
- Cycle to Work scheme

WEALTH

- Company Pension Scheme, matching contributions up to 5% of salary
- Life assurance
- Annual staff bonus scheme
- Season ticket loans

In this Preclinical Research Assistant role in our CNS Discovery Laboratories in Hammersmith, you'll join a growing Centre of Excellence focused on advancing preclinical research and translating findings into first-in-human studies.

Working within a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary team, you'll play a hands-on role supporting the execution of in vitro and in vivo studies, contributing directly to the early preclinical development of novel therapeutics and imaging agents. As part of your wide-ranging responsibilities, you can expect to be involved in the evaluation and application of novel and established PET tracers using in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro techniques and methodologies.

Offered on a full-time, permanent basis, it’s an ideal role for someone looking to build a strong foundation in translational neuroscience and complex pharmacology within an expanding, fast-paced, research-led environment providing exposure to a wide range of therapeutic targets.

Principal Accountabilities

The key responsibilities are:

- To provide support to the Preclinical Biology Team in preparing and conducting studies with respect to evaluation and application of novel and established radioactive PET tracers using in vivo , ex vivo and in vitro techniques and methodologies.
- Undertaking and assisting the Preclinical Biology Team with general activities as required.
- Working safely with low level radioactively labelled and unlabelled compounds in the laboratory areas.
- Maintaining accurate and current records of experimental work and for regulatory purposes.
- Carry out duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the Senior PET Biologist.

Specific Activities

- Learn and follow instructions and protocols as they become relevant for different studies, working under the direction of the relevant Study Director, or Biology Lead.
- Preparing and assisting in the conduct and delivery of preclinical in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro studies.
- Performing regular quality control checks and setting up of equipment for studies and for servicing.
- Performing standard Home Office procedures during preclinical in vivo imaging studies.
- Support out of hours monitoring and Home Office procedures as required during the lifetime of an in vivo study.
- Ordering animals and animal husbandry at the facility, as well as maintaining contemporary records of use.
- Safe use of low level radioactively labelled compounds such as 18F, 11C, 3H and 14C.
- Learn and follow SOPS, guidance documents, current Home Office regulations and all health & safety practices.
- Perform routine laboratory procedures such as preparation of buffers and cell culture.
- Using appropriate computer software packages effectively to enter and support the analysis of study data.
- Undertaking general laboratory administration and support as required.
- Work closely with line manager to ensure works are completed on time and to the required standard.

Competencies

- BSc, MSc, or equivalent in a relevant discipline
- Home Office Personal Licence (Modules A-C) preferred
- Relevant lab support skills
- Good technical trouble shooting skills
- Basic IT knowledge (Email, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel)
- Self-motivated and proactive
- Good safety awareness

Adaptability

- Shows willingness to learn new methods, procedures, or techniques.
- Can adapt to change quickly and easily.
- Asks questions to understand the objectives of changes.
- Has ability to see the merits of new or different approaches to accomplishing tasks.
- Seeks opportunities to make changes work rather than identifying reasons why changes won’t be successful.

Communication (including Interpersonal Skills)

- Demonstrates the ability to convey thoughts and express ideas effectively, appropriately and accurately, both verbally and in writing.

Teamwork

- Knows and supports team’s work and deliverables.
- Helps team members who need or ask for support or assistance.
- Is accountable and does what they say they will do.
- Can work effectively with colleagues and groups across boundaries.
- Ability to work successfully as part of a team, whilst also able to work independently.

Results Orientation (including Time Management)

- Demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of delivering goals and strives to achieve them.
- Can organise own time effectively.
- Completes work on time to the required standard.

Concern for Standards (including Attention to Detail)

- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of standard practices and procedures regarding the working tasks and activities in the department.
- Performs tasks accurately and thoroughly.
- Provides information in a useable form and on a timely basis to others who need to act on it.
- Maintains appropriate records in an organized way.

Continued Professional Excellence & Development

- Demonstrates a desire and willingness to acquire knowledge, skills and competencies, including technical skills to enhance capability and perform job more effectively.
- Has a structured Personal Development Plan and motivates self to learn.
- Learns and follows new protocols as they become relevant for different studies.
- Self-motivated, enthusiastic attitude and a willingness to expand technical skills

Problem Solving

- Demonstrates a logical approach method for organizing and analysing information to refer problems to manager.