We are seeking a talented Research Associate to join the School of Clinical Dentistry. The role is a high‑impact, 6‑month project funded by the EPSRC, focused on the identification and validation of extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated biomarkers and their integration with nanoplasmonic sensors to develop next‑generation, non‑invasive platforms for disease detection and longitudinal monitoring.
The Role
Led by Prof. Dan Lambert and a multidisciplinary team of experts in molecular/cell biology and chemistry, you will bridge the gap between biological discovery and clinical application. Your core responsibilities include isolating and characterising disease‑specific EVs, identifying and optimising biomarkers for detection on novel nanoplasmonic surfaces, and supporting the overall EPSRC Programme Grant, Molecular Photonic Breadboards.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* EV Characterization & Validation: Isolate, purify, and characterize extracellular vesicles (EVs) from biological fluids using techniques such as ultracentrifugation, size‑exclusion chromatography (SEC), and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA).
* Biomarker Identification: Use proteomics, RNAseq and other advanced technologies to identify and validate specific protein or nucleic acid cargo within EVs that serve as signatures for disease presence or progression.
* Sensor Integration: Collaborate with Programme partners to optimise the capture and signal‑readout of EV‑associated biomarkers on nanoplasmonic sensing platforms.
* Data Analysis: Process and interpret complex datasets, correlating molecular findings from laboratory assays with the optical outputs of the nanoplasmonic sensors.
* Project Management: Manage the 6‑month project timeline strictly to meet EPSRC milestones, including rapid‑turnaround experimental cycles.
* Documentation: Maintain rigorous and detailed records of wet‑lab protocols, EV characterization metrics, and sensor performance data.
* Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary teams – biologists, chemists, and physicists – and clinical colleagues on translational discussions.
* Dissemination: Contribute to high‑quality manuscript preparation and present findings at internal, national, and international forums.
* Safety & Compliance: Adhere to all health & safety policies, including CoSHH regulations and SOPs for handling human biological samples.
Person Specification
Our diverse community recognises unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs. We foster a culture of belonging and respect, encouraging applicants even if their experience does not match perfectly with all criteria.
Essential Criteria
* PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject area such as molecular biology, cell biology, cancer biology, bioinformatics, or computational pathology.
* Undergraduate degree in a relevant biological or biomedical discipline.
* Proven ability to conduct independent research and evidence of outputs (e.g. publications, presentations).
* Demonstrated experience in tissue culture and/or molecular and/or cellular biology techniques.
* Ability to work at pace and manage tight project milestones (essential for a 6‑month term).
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong teamworking and time‑management skills.
* Experience in molecular profiling techniques for biomarker validation (e.g. mass spectrometry, RNAseq, qPCR, ELISA).
* Experience in computational analysis of biological data.
Desirable Criteria
* Familiarity with nanoplasmonic sensing principles or surface functionalisation chemistry.
Additional Information
* Grade: 7
* Salary: £38,784
* Work arrangement: Full‑time
* Duration: 1 May 2026 for 6 months
* Line manager: Principal Investigator
What We Offer
* A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
* Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
* Generous pension scheme.
* A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
* A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
* Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
* A range of generous family‑friendly policies
o Paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
o Support for those going through menopause
o Paid time off and support for fertility treatment
o And more
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
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