At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a groundbreaking research project on CAR-T cell detection in cancer biopsies.
- Company: Join Synnovis, a leader in innovative pathology services with NHS partnerships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, advanced qualifications funding, and collaborative learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in cancer treatment and patient outcomes through cutting-edge research.
- Qualifications: PhD in a science subject with experience in immunohistochemistry and CAR-T cells.
- Other info: Dynamic lab environment with excellent career growth and development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
A biomedical scientist post to conduct a 1 year research project developing immunohistochemistry assays to detect chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells and their target antigens in tissue biopsies from patients with lymphoid malignancies.
Main duties of the job
- To undertake optimisation of anti-BCMA and anti-CD19 CAR, BCMA and GPRC5D immunohistochemistry stains in bone marrow biopsies and lymph nodes from patients with multiple myeloma and B-cell lymphoma.
- To perform cell culture work with CAR-T cells and tumour cell lines for use as positive controls.
About us
Your development and learning: You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The ACCE competencies programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding/support for advanced qualifications. You will be part of the Cellular Immunotherapy lab at the Rayne Institute, KCL and attend lab group meetings.
Job responsibilities
At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests.
This is an exciting new role to lead a research project at Synnovis in partnership with Kings College Hospital and Kings College London histopathology and haematology departments. The project is funded by a Synnovis Innovation Accelerator Fund (IAF) Progressive Award and involves developing immunohistochemistry assays to detect chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells and their target antigens in tissue biopsies from patients with lymphoid malignancies. CAR-T cells are a revolutionary treatment recently introduced for several blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma with 40-60% cure rates for some of these cancers. The ability to detect CAR-T cells and their target antigens in tissue biopsies will help clinicians select patients for CAR-T treatment, understand mechanisms underlying CAR-T failure, improve treatment outcomes and manage CAR-T toxicity better.
KCH as one of the largest CAR-T centres in the UK is uniquely placed to be able to undertake this research in partnership with Synnovis/KCL. The post holder will be based at Denmark Hill in Kings College Hospital histopathology & haematology departments and in the Rayne Institute, Kings College London under the supervision of Dr Liron Barnea Slonim, Consultant Histopathologist and Dr Reuben Benjamin, Consultant Haematologist. The post holder may also need to spend some time at the Synnovis hub laboratory, Blackfriars.
Duties and Responsibilities
- To liaise with the Haematology Biobank, Rayne Institute, KCL to access tissue biopsies from patients with multiple myeloma and B-cell lymphoma.
- To undertake optimisation of anti-BCMA and anti-CD19 CAR, BCMA and GPRC5D immunohistochemistry stains in bone marrow biopsies and lymph nodes from patients with multiple myeloma and B-cell lymphoma.
- To perform cell culture work with CAR-T cells and tumour cell lines for use as positive controls.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London. The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services. The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers. Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UKs leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. Kings has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career. Over the last 170 years, Kings has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- PhD in science subject.
Experience
- Experience in immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.
- Experience with CAR T cells.
- Experience with optimising and validating lab assays.
- Experience in immunology and cancer research.
- Expertise in one or more areas of the laboratory, for example Quality, Health & Safety, Training or IT.
- Publications in a relevant field.
Skills & Knowledge
- Collaborative team player with strong problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrates a high degree of skill and knowledge where interpretation of results can be highly subjective.
- Leadership qualities with experience of coaching, co-ordinating and supervising a team.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Depending on experience £46,418 to £55,046 per annum depending on experience.
Specialist Biomedical Scientist employer: Synnovis Analytics
Contact Detail:
Synnovis Analytics Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Biomedical Scientist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the biomedical field, especially those working with CAR-T cells or immunohistochemistry. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to make connections and learn about potential job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your previous work in immunohistochemistry and any research projects you've been involved in. This will give you an edge during interviews and help demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses to common questions in the biomedical field. Focus on articulating your experience with CAR-T cells and lab techniques clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We at StudySmarter encourage you to submit your application directly on our platform. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and you can easily track your progress.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Biomedical Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Specialist Biomedical Scientist role. Highlight your experience in immunohistochemistry and CAR-T cells, as well as any relevant research projects you've been involved in. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this research project and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention your collaborative spirit and problem-solving skills – we love that!
Showcase Your Research Experience: Since this role involves leading a research project, make sure to showcase any previous research experience you have. Talk about your contributions, methodologies used, and any outcomes achieved. We’re keen to see how you can bring that expertise to our team!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our amazing team at Synnovis!
How to prepare for a job interview at Synnovis Analytics
✨Know Your Science
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of immunohistochemistry and CAR-T cells. Be prepared to discuss your previous research experiences and how they relate to the role. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can also apply it practically.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, be ready to share examples of how you've tackled challenges in the lab. Whether it's optimising assays or troubleshooting experiments, demonstrating your problem-solving abilities will highlight your fit for the role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the research project and the team dynamics at Synnovis. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if the environment is right for you.
✨Highlight Collaboration Experience
Since this role involves working closely with various departments, emphasise your experience in collaborative projects. Share specific instances where teamwork led to successful outcomes, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.