Postdoctoral Research Associate - Exploring Cellular Mechanisms of Arrhythmia in Lamin Heart Disease

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Exploring Cellular Mechanisms of Arrhythmia in Lamin Heart Disease

University of Manchester

Manchester, United Kingdom

Overall Purpose of the Job

Pathogenic LMNA gene mutations cause a cardiomyopathy uniquely prone to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death (lamin heart disease). LMNA encodes lamin, a structural protein of the nuclear envelope (NE). Mutations cause abnormal NE structure and function, although how this causes arrhythmias is ill-defined. Accordingly, no disease-specific treatments areavailable. Preliminary data indicates that arrhythmias arise at the level of the cardiac myocyte.

We seek a postdoctoral researcher who will help establish cellular mechanisms of arrhythmia in lamin heart disease, by performing experiments in isolated cardiac myocytes. The successful candidate will join a thriving group of basic cellular electrophysiologists and clinician scientists with proven track records in world-class research in calcium handling and arrhythmia mechanisms.

Experience in the technique of patch clamp electrophysiology is essential. Experience in Calcium fluorescence imaging is highly desirable. Experience of in-vivo electrophysiology techniques, cellular biology techniques (e.g. western blot) and animal handling are also desirable.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities or Duties

The range of duties will include:

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with the assistance of a mentor if required
• Conduct individual and collaborative research projects
• Write up research work for publication
• Continually update knowledge and understanding in field or specialism
• Translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity
• Deal with routine communication using a range of media
• Communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically
• Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding and contractual purposes
• Communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature
• Liaise with colleagues and students
• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration
• Join external networks to share information and identify potential sources of funds
• Manage own research and administrative activities, with guidance if required
• Work with colleagues on joint projects, as required
• Collaborate with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings
• Use new research techniques and methods
• Use initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio
• Use creativity to analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
• Contribute to collaborative decision making with colleagues in areas of research
• Use research resources, laboratories and workshops as appropriate
• Plan and manage own research activity in collaboration with others Balance with help the competing pressures of research and administrative demands and deadlines
• Be aware of the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on their own work and that of others
• Be involved in the assessment of student knowledge and supervision of projects
• Assist in the development of student research skills

Person Specification

Essential

• Have, or be about to obtain, a relevant PhD (or equivalent)
• Specialist knowledge in the discipline of cellular electrophysiology
• Recent experience in research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes: Recent experience in the technique of patch clamp electrophysiology is essential. Recent experience in Calcium fluorescence imaging is highly desirable. Recent experience of in-vivo electrophysiology techniques, cellular biology techniques (e.g. western blot) and animal handling are also desirable
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Evidence of working independently and as part of a team
• Ability to liaise confidently and effectively with a range of individuals
• Flexible approach to dealing with research problems as they arise
• Willingness to learn and develop
• Evidence of ability to present in both written and oral publications
• Evidence of ability to meet deadlines
• Strong recent journal publication record
• The ability to evaluate complex data
• Ability to contribute to broader management and administrative processes
• Ability to assess and organise resources
• Understand equal opportunity issues as they may impact on areas of research content

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