Translation Research Scientist – S West lab

Translation Research Scientist – S West lab
Reporting to: Stephen West, Principal Group Leader and Anaid Benitez, Translation Scholar
Contact term: This is a full-time, fixed term (18 months) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
The Crick Translation Fund
The project and successful candidate will be fully funded by the Translation Fund, which is generously supported by the Chris Banton Foundation. The Translation Fund was established to increase opportunities for researchers working on translational science to progress their ideas towards impact, and encourage collaborative applications that cross disciplinary boundaries, particularly at the Clinical and Physical Sciences interfaces.
DNA Recombination & Repair Lab, Group Leader: Stephen Westhttps://www.crick.ac.uk/research/labs/stephen-west
Project Lead: Anaid Benitez https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/find-a-researcher/anaid-benitez
The Project: Functional DNA Repair Assays
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic research scientist to this translational programme with strong expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology, interested in developing cutting-edge diagnostic technologies for cancer patients with DNA repair deficiencies (e.g., BRCA mutant patients). The successful candidate for this particular role will be embedded in the laboratory of Stephen West with a focus on cancer biology, investigating critical factors involved in DNA damage repair.
The goal of this project is to advance personalized medicine in oncology, ensuring that patients receive the most effective therapies based on their unique tumour profile, leading to improved patient outcomes and more efficient use of healthcare resources. Our approach is to develop a novel assay platform to assess DNA damage repair pathways. Our patent-pending technology has been supported by outstanding innovation-focused sponsors including the Crick Translation Fund, CRUK Cancer Research Horizons, MedTech SuperConnector, and Cancer Tech Accelerator.
The successful candidate will work closely with the project lead to deliver on the project and meet the milestones set to ensure ongoing funding and transaltional success. Full support will be provided by the project lead, group leader, and the Translation Team. The candidate will be expected to creatively optimize the current technology, contribute to the adaptation and development of new technological breakthroughs, and assist with intellectual property rights and business development considerations.
Methods used will entail, but not be limited to, standard biochemistry and molecular biology techniques, tumour sample processing, focused drug-response screens, high-throuput imaging, Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), and analysis of publicly available datasets. The project will be supported by translation scientists and clinicians, industry and contract research organisations (CROs) as needed. The project will benefit from close collaboration with the Crick Science Technology Platformshttp://shorturl.at/fosv5and with pharmaceutical companies in the DNA damage response (DDR) space.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a truly multi-disciplinary research project, which will train the next-generation of scientific leaders, equipped to succeed both in academia and industry. Due to the translational nature of the project, there will be an opportunity to learn more about cancer diagnostic development through active engagement with industry, clinicians, and involvement in training courses. You will work with highly experienced colleagues and collaborators in an institute that values discovery without boundaries. This role is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and entrepreneurship, giving the postholder a significant role in not just executing experiments but also contributing to the strategic direction of the project.
Responsibilities

Support the delivery of the project by undertaking laboratory research, developing the project in a timely and resource efficient manner (design and execute experiments, collect and analyse data)

Lead on the optimization of cutting-edge assays to characterize DNA repair mechanisms in various biological models, playing a pivotal role in the assessment of clinical utility.

Lead validation efforts to establish assay reliability and accuracy, comparing results with established benchmarks.

Design and execute experiments for assay adaptation to scalable formats, contributing to the development of high-throughput capabilities.

Develop and refine experimental protocols, ensuring the generation of high-quality data and compliance with industry and regulatory standards.

Maintain electronic laboratory notebooks for proper documentation of research activities, ensuring data integrity and reproducibility.

Participate in the research community by attending seminars, workshops, and conferences to stay abreast of the latest scientific advances and foster collaborative relationships.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including industry partners and clinicians, to advance the translation of our technology.

Maintain effective communication across the team and external collaborators, ensuring that all parties are aligned and informed on project progress and outcomes.

Support the project lead with the delivery of reports and presentations supporting experimental results to stakeholders.

Assist the project lead in evaluating market trends and competitive landscapes to inform strategic planning and positioning of the assay technologies within the marketplace.

Support the project lead in establishing and nurturing relationships with potential industry partners and investors, participating in discussions to secure funding and partnerships that align with the project’s commercialization path.

Assist the project lead with the continuous customer discovery process, engaging with key stakeholders to gain insights that inform the iterative development of the technology, ensuring its relevance and utility align with evolving market needs and clinical practices.

Work with the project lead and Translation Team to explore IP strategy and commercialization pathways, ensuring the non-disclosure of confidential aspects of the technology.

Participate in professional development opportunities, such as workshops on innovation and entrepreneurship, to enhance the commercial potential of the project.

Key experience and competencies
The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values:Bold; Open; Collegial
Essential

Enthusiastic about healthcare innovation and the translation of bench technologies to enhance clinical outcomes

PhD or PhD equivalent experience in molecular and/or cellular biology, biochemistry, or related disciplines

Deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and its deficiencies, including the role of BRCA1/2 and other related genes, as well as clinical therapies targeting the DNA damage response (DDR)

Strong expertise in mammalian cell culture (transfection, transduction), molecular biology (molecular cloning, PCR, qPCR, and other standard techniques), biochemistry (western blot, immunoprecipitation), Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) and quantitative microscopy (immunofluorescence and image analysis)

Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications or submitted manuscripts in referred journals, with a least one first-author publication.

Evidence of data presentation at scientific meetings

Strong organisational skills, excellent time management and thorough record-keeping

Strong collaborative ability and commitment to teamwork

Desirable

Postdoctoral experience in biochemistry and molecular biology

Good knowledge and experience in cancer cell biology, chromatin biology, genome instability, or DNA damage and repair

Expertice in assay development

Experience in high-throughput imaging or other methodologies

Proficiency in analyzing public databases

Experience in collaborative, cross-disciplinary research

Interest in entrepreneurial training or participation in hackathons, bootcamps or accelerator programmes.

Willingness to learn and assist with patent processes, invention disclosures, and other intellectual property rights considerations

Willingness to learn and assist with business development aspects of the project

About Us
At the Crick, we conduct research at the forefront of biomedical research. We combine rigour with an open and collaborative culture, and are outward-looking, reflecting our status as a partnership of six organisations aiming to pool knowledge, ideas and resources.
We have a wide research portfolio with no divisions or departments, bringing biomedical researchers together with clinicians, physical scientists and applied scientists from our pharmaceutical partners.
We aim to attract the most talented researchers and support them to tackle innovative research questions. Our science technology platforms provide our researchers with access to state-of-the-art technology and expertise.
We provide an excellent learning environment with dedicated education programmes in public engagement with science, education and personal development, and a postdoc training programme that prepares scientists for leadership roles in science.

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If you require a visa to work in the UK we will help support your application should you be successful

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.
Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.
The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.
Read more on our website:https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/equality-diversity-and-inclusio
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