Total 2 Science / R&D / Research job vacancies in Plymouth, Devon, PL1 4LL

About the role

You will help to deliver an innovative neuro-oncology research project; developing a new preclinical in vivo model of NF2-null meningioma and investigating immunotherapies. The project involves using single-cell RNA-sequencing and murine models of NF2-null tumours, patient-derived xenograft drug screening and validation with a variety of wet-lab techniques. This role is advertised on a fixed-term basis for 2.5 years due to external funding.

The role will be ideally suited to an early-career researcher who is motivated to join a vibrant neuro-oncology research community at the University of Plymouth’s Brain Tumour Research centre of excellence.

Essential:

• Ph.D (or close to completion) in neuro-oncology, immunology or other closely related and relevant subject.
• Competence in a variety of laboratory techniques.
• Extensive knowledge of cancer cell biology and tumour-associated immune cells.
• Skill in protocol development and optimisation.

Desirable:

• Experience in animal research and/or UK Home Office PIL A/B + C (rodents).
• Experience in single-cell RNA-sequencing and/or other omics techniques.
• Bioinformatics skills.
• First-author publications and/or other demonstrable research impacts.

Our Research:

The Parkinson lab’s neuro-oncology research focus centres around NF2-null nervous system tumours; meningioma, schwannoma and ependymoma. We have access to an excellent biobank of primary tumour cells, and use genetic and xenograft murine models to drive translational preclinical research.

Recent publications:

Inhibition of YAP/TAZ-driven TEAD activity prevents growth of NF2-null schwannoma and meningioma, Brain, 2022;awac342, https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awac342

Human Endogenous Retrovirus Type K Promotes Proliferation and Confers Sensitivity to Antiretroviral Drugs in Merlin-Negative Schwannoma and Meningioma. Cancer Res 2022 Jan 15;82(2):235-247. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-20-3857

Merlin controls the repair capacity of Schwann cells after injury by regulating Hippo/YAP activity. JCB, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201606052

Peninsula Medical School:

Our laboratory is based in the Derriford Research Facility within the Peninsula Medical School and contains state-of-the-art facilities for delivering this project including a confocal microscopy suite and biological services unit. Our facility is supported by the Brain Tumour Research charity as a Centre of Excellence.

Please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Dr Liyam Laraba by email liyam.laraba@plymouth.ac.uk

Interviews are likely to take place on week commencing Monday 20 January 2025 and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted or not.

This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis for 30 months due to funding.

The successful candidate may be required to obtain an ATAS Certificate prior to this research being undertaken.

Remote working is available up to 1 days a week.

About us

The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards, which recognise our commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education.

The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our three strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute, the Sustainable Earth Institute, and the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.

Application Process

Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

Our Offer

Staff appointed within the Faculty of Health may be able to join the NHS pension scheme subject to eligibility criteria.

We offer a competitive salary package, a generous pension and holiday scheme. We also offer a range of other benefits/support mechanisms, including ongoing development opportunities, flexible working, staff networks and enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.

A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here.

Additional Information

The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed regardless of their background. To find out more about our inclusive community initiatives, such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter, please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages.

We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented communities at the University of Plymouth, such as carers/parents, people with disabilities, ethnically diverse, LGBT+, and people from all socio-economic backgrounds.

What skills and experience we're looking for

Job Purpose

To be an effective teacher and tutor who supports and challenges all students to achieve their full potential.

Accountabilities:

1. To maintain a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of the teaching of your subject(s) and take account of wider curriculum and pastoral developments which are relevant to your work.

2. To plan tutorials, activities, lessons, and sequences of lessons to meet students’ individual learning needs.

3. To use a range of appropriate strategies and follow School policies for tutoring, teaching, behaviour management and classroom management.

4. To do all you can, involving parents and other agencies, to ensure that because of your tutoring and teaching you promote the health, safety, economic wellbeing and achievement of your students.

5. To assess, monitor and record the progress of students in your teaching and tutorial groups and give them clear and constructive feedback.

6. To set well-grounded expectations for students in your teaching and tutorial groups using information about prior knowledge and previous attainment, making progress as good or better than similar students nationally.

7. To take responsibility for your own professional development and use the outcomes to improve your tutoring and teaching and your students’ learning.

8. To make an active contribution to the policies, aspirations and plans of your year group, of your curriculum team and of the school.

UPS2: UPS2 teachers are expected to make a sustained and substantial contribution to the school based on threshold criteria.

UPS3: UPS3 teachers play a critical role in the life of the school. They provide a role model for teaching and learning, make a distinctive contribution to the raising of students’ standards and contribute effectively to the work of the wider team. They take advantage of the appropriate opportunities for professional development and use outcomes effectively to improve students’ learning.

What the school offers its staff

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to work in a school where all staff are viewed as part of the family
• Somewhere where leaders look after you as well as encourage you to pursue your aspirations and goals as part of our trust, teaching and research school
• An organisation where curriculum design and innovation are valued and respected
• A school where the classroom and the learning experience for young people is the centre of everything that we do
• A school with a healthy view of the work life balance needed to be a great teacher
• Excellent schemes of learning and pre-planned resources to support workload reduction.
• A sensible and balanced approach to assessment in order to further reduce workload.
• The freedom to experiment in your own classroom.
• A clear behaviour policy which supports you to be able to teach with enthusiasm and freedom to a receptive audience.
• Opportunities to share your practice and learn from others across the trust and the teaching school alliance.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): Childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Medical Online and social media Prohibition from teaching Right to work Satisfactory references Suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.