Flow Cytometry Coordinator

Heart Science

National Heart and Lung Institute

Salary: £31,500 - £39,130 per annum

A Flow Cytometry Coordinator is required to work within the Heart Science group headed by Professor Michael Schneider: the British Heart Foundation Simon Marks Chair in Regenerative Cardiology and Director of Imperial’s British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence.

The post-holder’s primary responsibility will be independently running and maintaining the flow cytometry instruments in Professor Schneider’s laboratory at South Kensington Campus.  You will provide comprehensive flow cytometry technical support for Professor Schneider’s group and collaborators.

Your general responsibilities will include: analysis and sorting of cells, maintaining instruments, and optimization of procedures for the analysis and purification of cardiac progenitors and embryonic stem cells. You will also be responsible for the evaluation of novel surface markers and the engineering of fluorescent reporter genes for the identification of specific subsets of cells.

You should hold a First Degree or equivalent level of qualification in Biology or related field, and have previous proven experience in flow cytometry for analysing and sorting cells.

The post is full-time and is fixed term for up to 5 years.  It is presently based at the South Kensington Campus; the laboratory is scheduled to move to the Hammersmith Campus in 2012, as the flagship of a brand-new laboratory building now under construction, adjacent to the MRC Clinical Science Centre genomics groups.

Our preferred method of application is online via our website http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/employment (please select “Job Search” then enter the job title or vacancy reference number into “Keywords”). Please complete and upload an application form as directed.

Alternatively, if you are unable to apply online, please contact the HR Assistant on 0207 5941956 or email rb.recruitment@imperial.ac.uk to request an application form.

Job Reference: RB062-11

Closing Date: 22 June 2011

Committed to equality and valuing diversity.  We are also an Athena Silver SWAN Award winner and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post Title:                                            Flow Cytometry Coordinator

Division:                                              National Heart and Lung Institute

Section:                                               Heart Science

Job Family:                                         Technical Services, Level 3b

Salary Range:                                     £31,500 - £39,130 per annum

Responsible to:                                  Dr Michela Noseda

Accountable to:                                  Head of Cardiovascular Science, Professor Michael Schneider

Key Working Relationships:

(Internal)                                            Head of Section; FACS lab users

(External)                                             Other users across campuses at Hammersmith, Harefield and Brompton

Location:                                             South Kensington Campus and later at Hammersmith Campus

Contract:                                             Full-time and fixed-term for up to 5 years

Background

Heart and blood vessel research at Imperial College London is nation-leading and a major strategic priority of the university. Currently, the cardiovascular community numbers 100 Principal Investigators with total current research grants held at over £100 million. Cardiovascular research is centered within the National Heart and Lung Institute (total research grants held: £61 million), a Division of the Faculty of Medicine, which received a 5* rating for cardiovascular science in the 2001 HEFCE Research Assessment Exercise. The NHLI is based at the College’s main campus at South Kensington (site of the current post) and at four campuses associated with the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (Hammersmith and St. Mary’s Hospitals) and the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust.

Heart Science at Imperial is characterised by its international standing, competitiveness, inquisitive academic and entrepreneurial culture, and the close coordination of leading-edge research upon a bedrock foundation of superior clinical service and care.

Summary of Post

• Primary responsibility for independently running and maintaining the flow cytometry instruments in Professor Schneider’s laboratory at South Kensington Campus/Hammersmith Campus (from Spring 2012)
• Comprehensive flow cytometry technical support for Professor Schneider’s group and collaborators including development and optimization of new flow cytometry based assays
• Accountable to Imperial College risk assessments/Standard operating procedures/for implementing and maintaining accurate and safe systems

Key Responsibilities

Independently run and maintain the flow cytometry instruments in Professor Schneider’s lab at South Kensington Campus, which will include:

General

• Perform analysis and sorting of cells
• Maintain instruments
• Optimize procedures for the analysis and purification of cardiac progenitors and embryonic stem cells
• Undertake post-acquisition analysis of the data and their elaboration for presentations and publications
• Develop and optimize of novel assays and sorting methods for stem cell and cardiac biology
• Evaluate novel surface markers
• Engineer fluorescent reporter genes for the identification of specific subsets of cells and anaylsis of multicolour fluorescent proteins
• Ensure all work undertaken in the facility is done according to Imperial College approved standard operating procedures and under appropriate licences
• Be responsible for recording and maintaining information, including backup of flow cytometry acquisition and data

Training

• Train users to ensure exceptional care and attention on technical procedures

Administration

• Direct liaison with other Imperial biosciences at Hammersmith, Harefield and Brompton campuses

• Maintain clear and accurate records (including financial where appropriate) to exceptionally high standard, available for internal and external scrutiny
• Maintain accurate database and records of users and equipment
• Maintain accurate records and files
• Assist with recharging for services or usage, where applicable

General Research and Laboratory Responsibilities

• Provide advice to all users of flow cytometry instruments, as dictated by the varying needs of the individuals
• Contribute to the intellectual activities of the lab and NHLI Cardiovascular Science
• Keep up-to-date with advances in the field, including continuing professional development and training
• Attend national and international meetings
• Any other duties which may arise commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by the Head of Cardiovascular Science

Health & Safety

• Provide training and guidance to users on safety regulations
• Comply with:

                  - COSHH Health and Safety guidelines

                  - The Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act       

Other

• Comply with College policies, including financial regulations, equal opportunities, promoting race equality policy, health and safety policy, information systems security policy and intellectual property rights and register of interests policies

Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and so the post holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

The post holder is expected to observe and comply with all College policies and regulations, for example Health and Safety, Data Protection etc.

Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination.  All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in our Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy and Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.

IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• First Degree in Biology (or related field), or equivalent vocational qualification

Desirable

• MSc or other post-graduate qualification in a relevant discipline with extensive flow cytometry experience.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Previous and proven experience in flow cytometry for analysing and sorting cells
• Experience in maintaining and running flow cytometry instruments for the purpose of analysing and sorting cells
• Experience with software for post-acquisition data analysis and presentation
• Knowledge and understanding of processes and procedures relevant to the role
• Previous experience in working in an international environment

Desirable

• Experience with stem cell biology

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Proven communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to develop and apply new concepts
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Proven organisational skills and ability to plan ahead, set priorities and work to deadlines
• Ability to perform routine and non-routine tasks effectively and within deadlines
• Ability and willingness to adapt to changing timetables or work patterns as may be dictated by changing circumstances
• Able to work independently but also in a collaborative and integrative manner to aid the single individual and the group projects development
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability and willingness to use personal initiative to accomplish tasks in an efficient and timely manner

Other Requirements

• Work unsociable hours as work demands