Research Fellow

Job Description

Research Fellow: Grade: 7

Department: Cell & Developmental Biology: Location: UCL Bloomsbury

Reports to

Marc Amoyel

Context

The Amoyel lab studies how local and systemic environmental inputs influence reproduction. Our research aims to bridge scales to understand how cell behaviour is coordinated both at the local level and with organismal physiology and how this is underpinned by changes in cell biology. Work in the lab addresses topics ranging from the mechanisms of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in both germline and somatic lineages, how somatic and germ cells interact to ensure differentiation and gamete production, and how systemic signals regulate reproductive output. We use a variety of approaches, from genetics and imaging, RNA sequencing and metabolomics, to mathematical modelling. Our primary model system is the Drosophila testis, exploiting the many tools available in flies, as well as developing new tools when needed.

Main purpose of the job

The post holder will investigate how diet impacts on male fertility in Drosophila. They will join a team within the lab studying systemic physiology and its regulation by diet, and in turn, how stem cells in the gonad respond to these changes. Initially, they will contribute to ongoing work in which we seek to identify inter-organ signals that regulate the response of testis stem cells to nutrient levels. Over time, the successful candidate would be expected to develop independent lines of research and original contributions within this broad topic.

Duties and responsibilities

Develop, plan and undertake scientific research under supervision within a specific research project, working as a member of a research team.

Design, conduct, refine and analyse experiments in order to obtain reliable and publishable data.

Keep records of all experiments in appropriate storage, including data files from all types of experiments as well as metadata. Ensure that records are accurate, traceable and accessible, and that they are kept updated.

Read academic papers, journals and books to keep abreast of developments in our own area and related disciplines.

Present regular progress reports on the research to members of the research group and to external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.

Prepare, in consultation with supervisor, material for publication in journals and presentations at national and international conferences.

Prepare and present findings of research activity to colleagues for review purposes.

Contribute to the preparation of future applications for further funds for this project, through preliminary data, discussion and/or writing of applications to specified deadlines. Additionally, seek out and apply for fellowships to support further work in the lab.

Carry out routine administrative tasks associated with the research project/s to ensure that project/s are completed on time and within budget. These might include organisation of project meetings and documentation, financial control, risk assessment of research activities.

Carry out occasional undergraduate and postgraduate supervision, demonstrating or teaching duties within the post holder’s area of expertise. Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may need assistance with their research Plan own day-to day activity within framework of the agreed research programme to allow for deadlines (e.g. for journal publications) to be met. Plan and prepare presentations and papers for conferences in consultation with PI and other colleagues as appropriate Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress and ensure research resources are used in the most effective manner, Liaise on a regular basis with colleagues and students and build contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.

Contribute to the lab’s public engagement by joining external networks to share information and ideas, supervising high school students, or other engagement activities.

General

Follow and actively promote the UCL Ways of Working.

Takes responsibility to carry out duties in a way that embodies UCL's environmental and social sustainability values, actively supporting UCL's Sustainability Strategy, policies and objectives within the remit of their role.

Carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager.

This job description may be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Note to job applicant: copy and paste the following criteria into your “Statement in support of your application” and describe underneath each criteria how you meet it, giving examples. You will be scored on how you meet each criteria.

Essential Criteria: Assessment method (Application form/ Interview / Practical Test)

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

PhD in relevant subject area; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at research assistant Grade 6B with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis (including corrections): Evidence of producing high quality research, such as a publication record, or producing publication-quality work: Proven knowledge of state-of-the-art research techniques and methodologies: Experience with generation, troubleshooting and analysis of large-scale datasets (eg scRNAseq, metabolomics, etc), and/or with biochemical assays for protein, RNA, DNA or metabolites (eg, mass spectrometry metabolomics, immunoprecipitations, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq).: Experience with coding in languages such as R and/or python and/or matlab and/or C++ and/or other similar: Knowledge of stem cell biology and/or cell biology: Knowledge of cell metabolism pathways and their interaction with nutrition:

Skills and abilities

Ability to optimise and troubleshoot research methods and techniques, drawing from knowledge, experience and reading of the literature.: Proven ability to interpret and critically evaluate results, and to analyse and write up data: Demonstrable expertise in techniques of cell or developmental biology or genetics: Excellent oral and written communication skills, and demonstrable ability to meet project, manuscript, and publication deadlines: Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences:

Desirable Criteria: Assessment method (Application form/ Interview / Practical Test) Demonstrable expertise in the use of confocal and/or multiphoton imaging: Ability to teach/demonstrate research methods and techniques: Knowledge of Drosophila melanogaster genetics and handling.: