Research Technician

Applications are invited for a research technician position to work with Dr Ximena Soto (MRC CDA Research Fellow, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2680-1837) in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Function at the FBMH-University of Manchester. This position is to support a wide range of research activities to understand how regenerative species reactivate neural stem cells to initiate proliferation and generate new neurons, prompting new insights for species with no regenerative capacity.  It aims to address the functional importance of dynamic gene expression underlying spinal cord regeneration and the mechanism by which microRNAs regulate it using zebrafish as an animal with regenerative capacity.

This position is to provide technical support with minimal supervision and assist team members with standard experimental protocols. Having experience working with zebrafish is essential.

Project: Progenitors react to spinal cord injury by reactivating similar signalling pathways and transcription factors (TFs) in both regenerative and non-regenerative species. However, it is likely that differences in the activity and dynamic expression of TFs can lead to different cell-fate decisions such as forming a scar or generating new neurons, in non-regenerative and regenerative species, respectively.

To understand how regenerative species reactivate neural stem cells to initiate proliferation and generate new neurons we aim to address the functional importance of dynamic gene expression underlying spinal cord regeneration and the mechanism by which microRNAs regulate it using zebrafish as an animal with regenerative capacity. The project will:

• Investigate the function of oscillatory expression dynamics of Her genes in progenitor cells during spinal cord regeneration
• Investigate how microRNAs modulate Her oscillatory protein expression as progenitors change cell fate during spinal cord regeneration

Context of the Role: To provide technical support with minimal supervision, in a range of project specific research activities including: the running and troubleshooting of experiments; the maintenance, use and teaching of research associated equipment. To assist team members in ensuring that staff and students operate safe working practices ensuring health and safety compliance within the laboratories.

Environment: The position will be based at Molecular and Cellular Function Division-SBS-FBMH (https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/organisations/division-of-molecular-cellular-function) from University of Manchester. The FBMH has many world-leaders researchers and it benefit from the harmonious atmosphere, seminar series and annual conferences. This creates a supportive and collaborative environment to conduct the research and develop expertise in the areas of molecular biology, cellular function and regeneration. In addition to high quality research colleagues, the faculty has a full complement of well-equipped cutting-edge core facilities. Particularly important for the success of this research is the extensive bioimaging facility, including several high-end confocal (Zeiss LSM 880 and Leica Sp8), the Genomic Technologies Facility which has a focus on single-cell technologies and the Genomic editing facility which has a vast experience in Transgenic Technologies.

Application: This is a full-time fixed term appointment starting 01 September 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter, and is funded for 45 months.

Please follow the instructions in the link below for more details and to apply for the job

https://www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetail?JobId=29729