Job Description

Job Title:

Research Assistant

Posting Start Date:

03/10/2025

Job Id:

1640

School/Department:

School of Medicine & Population Health

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (On site)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

32,080.00- 36,636

Closing Date:

26/10/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview:

Applications are invited for the post of Research Assistant to join Sheffield's Translational Neuro-Oncology Research Group led by Prof. Spencer Collis (Science), Mr. Ola Rominiyi (Translational) and Mr. Yahia Al-Tamimi (Clinical) in collaboration with Prof. Munitta Muthana within the School of Medicine and Population Health at the University of Sheffield's Medical School.



We are seeking a highly motivated, practically skilled, well organised and semi-independent individual to work on a 3-year project funded by the Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR) to carry out preclinical assessment of DNA repair inhibitors in combination with tumour treating fields (TTFields) therapy with a focus on in vivo assessment, following recent promising cell-based studies by our team.


This will involve working within our team to establish new brain-invasive orthotopic patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of glioblastoma using cells from within our within the Sheffield Living Biobank of patient-derived primary glioma stem cell-like (GSC) culture models, and conducting detailed efficacy studies assessing DNA repair inhibitors in combination with TTFields and standard of care therapies in PDX (subcutaneous and orthotopic) and syngeneic (orthotopic only) models.

Main duties and responsibilities

Design, execute and evaluate experiments Keep excellent experimental records Work collaboratively including shared responsibilities within a team of 2 other PRDAs to deliver the studies Maintain excellent communication and working relationships with wider team members within the Biological Services Unit including vets and Animal Welfare Officers Complete training in use of the inovivo TTFields delivery system (training provided) Prepare reports regularly and feed back to other members of the research group. Contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts, attend and deliver seminars/lab meetings Help supervise undergraduate and MSc students Advise PhD students as necessary as part of a collaborative research team. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution
is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Extensive practical and theoretical experience in mammalian cell culture growth and manipulation, including molecular and cellular laboratory work especially in western blotting, immunofluorescence and cell survival assays.


Essential


Application/interview


Extensive practical experience

in vivo

studies (mouse)

including tumour cell implantation, monitoring and assessment, imaging (e.g. IVIS & small animal MRI), blood sampling, and post-mortem analyses of tissues including immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence - with a current or recent Home Office Personal License (PIL).

Essential


Application/interview


Experience of designing experiments and accurately collecting data with subsequent robust analysis using appropriate statistical methods.


Essential


Application/interview


Ability to update and acquire new skills and knowledge in line with advances in the relevant subject area, including technical expertise and experience.


Essential


Application/interview


Knowledge of and compliance with good laboratory practice and awareness of laboratory safety and general laboratory competence.


Essential


Application/interview


Effective written and verbal communication skills.


Essential


Application/interview


Experience of preparing and delivering presentations and reports on data generated.


Essential


Application/interview


Ability to work either independently and/or as part of a multidisciplinary team to meet deadlines.


Essential


Application/interview


Be able to assist and support research students, PDRAs and other staff, as well as visiting researchers when required.


Essential


Application/interview


Generic IT skills, including Microsoft Office suite and Prism.


Essential


Application/interview


Good organisational and time management skills and a proven ability to keep accurate and reliable records.


Essential


Application/interview


Experience with orthotopic intracranial tumour cell implantation in rodents.


Desirable


Application/interview


Have a PhD (or be close to completion) in molecular or cell biology, in vivo biology or equivalent experience.


Desirable


Application/interview

Further Information

Grade:

6.6

Salary:

32,080 - G6.6 36,636

Work arrangement:

Full-time

Duration:

Start date to be confirmed, end date 30 June 2928

Line manager:

Project Lead

Direct reports:

Project Lead

Our website:

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/medicine/department-neuroscience/ola-rominiyi



For informal enquiries about this job contact Mr Ola Rominiyi, Project Lead: at

o.rominiyi@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on shortly after the advert closing date. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage as soon as possible. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact the Staffing Team at

clinmed-staffing@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.


Closing Date : 26/10/2025





We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.