Research Technician

A Research Technician position funded by the UK Dementia Research Institute (DRI) is available in the research group of Professor Paul Morgan and Dr Nikoleta Daskoulidou, in the UK DRI at Cardiff University School of Medicine, based at Cathays campus. This role will involve supporting studies of examining oligodendrocyte dysfunction and myelin loss in Alzheimer’s disease using mouse models and human post-mortem brain tissue. The successful candidate will contribute to research exploring how dysregulation of the complement system contributes to myelin damage in neurodegeneration, with the aim of identifying mechanisms and new therapeutic targets.

The role will involve a range of experimental approaches, including immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, molecular and cellular biology techniques, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and analysis of mouse and human brain tissue. We are seeking a highly motivated individual with a BSc in neuroscience, immunology, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline, or equivalent research experience. The work covers a wide variety of research areas, including molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, cell biology, and immunology. The successful candidate will have substantial experience in at least one of these areas. Experience in histology, microscopy, neurobiology, or immunological techniques would be advantageous.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to develop skills and to work with a team that includes post-doctoral staff, PhD, MSc and undergraduate students. Excellent communication skills, time management, and self-motivation will be essential for this role.

This is a full time (35 hours per week) position available immediately and fixed term until 28th February 2027. Salary: £33,951 - £36,636 per annum (Grade 5). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (including bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Purpose

Support the University within complement and brain team at UK Dementia Research Institute, carrying out supporting work, providing advice, guidance and support, and leading projects within this area.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide professional advice and guidance on the Complement and Brain team at the UK Dementia Research Institute processes and procedures to internal and external customers, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action where appropriate, and ensuring complex and conceptual issues are understood.
• Investigate and analyse specific issues within the Complement and Brain team at the UK Dementia Research Institute, creating recommendation reports, supported by advances within the Complement and Brain team at the UK Dementia Research Institute.
• Ensure that the provision of the Complement and Brain team at the UK Dementia Research Institute is delivered to the institution, proactively changing the delivery according to customer requirements.
• Collaborate with others in order to make recommendations for developments of established processes and procedures.
• Establish working relationships with key contacts, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Schools/Directorates and outside bodies as required.
• Create specific working groups from colleagues across the University to achieve UK Dementia Research Institute objectives.
• Supervise specific project teams on an occasional basis to accomplish key objectives.
• Develop and deliver training within the Complement and Brain team at the UK Dementia Research Institute.
• Undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the department.
• Instruct and guide other employees across the University within the Complement and Brain team at the UK Dementia Research Institute as required.

General Duties

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

It is the School of Medicine's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 21502BR. If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcomes the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Essential Criteria

• Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent Professional membership/experience.
• Substantial experience of working within specialist discipline.
• Able to demonstrate professional knowledge within specialist discipline to give advice and guidance to internal and external customers.
• Ability to set up standard office systems and procedures and make improvements as appropriate.
• Ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people.
• Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered.
• Evidence of ability to solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity; identifying and proposing practical solutions and resolving problems with a range of potential outcomes.
• Evidence of demonstrable knowledge of key advances within specialist discipline.
• Evidence of ability to work unsupervised to deadlines, planning and setting priorities for own work and that of others and monitoring progress.
• A willingness to undertake further training and development.

Desirable Criteria

• Postgraduate/Professional qualification.
• Experience in immunohistochemistry, confocal imaging, Imaris software image analysis and transmission electron microscopy.
• Experience of working in a Higher Education environment.
• Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.