Research positions in Regenerative Medical Engineering at OSCAR

Job Description and Selection Criteria

Overview of the role

The OSCAR Senior Research Scientist (SRS) in Advanced Cell Therapy will be part of a team working on the development of novel technologies for regenerative medicine. The SRS will report to Professor Zhanfeng Cui.

Responsibilities/duties

Selection criteria

Essential

1. Hold a PhD in biomedical/tissue engineering or a related discipline.
2. Research experience in human cells including stem cells for therapeutic use.
3. Experience in primary cell culture, banking and characterisation.
4. Experience of research supervision, e.g. of graduate students and scientific publications.
5. Excellent communication skills in English, in writing and in oral presentations.
6. Show the ability to work supportively in a laboratory environment and take part in joint projects through co-operation and the exchange of information, skills and reagents.
7. Maintain detailed laboratory records and report on progress at regular intervals, and to operate in compliance with relevant Health and Safety regulations Have a track record of delivering project objectives against deadlines.

Desirable

1. Hold a M.D (medical degree) and have clinical working experience.

2. Research experience in development of cell line, and setting up of cell bank.

3. Knowledge in authority approval and regulations of clinical trial and cell therapy.

4. Cell related academic and industrial R&D working experience.

Job Description and Selection Criteria

Overview of the role

The OSCAR Research Scientist (RS) in regenerative medical engineering will be part of a team working on the development of novel technologies for regenerative medicine. The RS will report to Professor Zhanfeng Cui.

Responsibilities/duties

Selection criteria

Essential

1. Hold a PhD in biochemical/biomedical engineering or a related discipline (or have submitted a PhD thesis in a relevant area prior to taking up the appointment).
2.   Research experience in cell processing equipment, cell culture and cell biology.
3. Research experience in biosensors, on line or off line.
4. Experience of research supervision, e.g. of graduate students and scientific publications.
5. Excellent communication skills in English .
6. Be viewed as a motivated, enthusiastic, organised self-starter who can work with a minimum of supervision but at the same time extract the benefits of an excellent research environment.
7. Show the ability to work supportively in a laboratory environment and take part in joint projects through co-operation and the exchange of information, skills and reagents.
8. Maintain detailed laboratory records and report on progress at regular intervals, and to operate in compliance with relevant Health and Safety regulations.
9. Have a track record of delivering project objectives against deadlines.

Desirable

1. Research experience in development of human cell processing devices.

2. Knowledge in authority approval and regulations of medical devices.

3. Research experience in development of medical devices.

4. Research experience in clinical applications of cells

Job Description and Selection Criteria

 

The role

The Research Technician in Regenerative Medicine will join the Regenerative Medicine Group led by Prof. Zhanfeng Cui. The group focuses on developing enabling and translational technologies for cell therapy and tissue engineering.

The successful candidate will join an international collaboration team composed of researchers working in engineering, biomaterials, biology and mathematics. You will be responsible for culturing human cells in varieties of conditions, including in 3D scaffolds, cell characterisation including imaging, cell proliferation/toxicity assays, gene/protein expression analysis and etc.

The postholder will also be responsible for managing the group’s laboratories, maintaining general stocks and supplies and dealing with deliveries, ensuring that the laboratories are kept clean and tidy, managing the group’s chemical library, booking and chasing orders, maintaining health and safety records (COSHH forms, training records, risk assessments, SOPs etc.) and identifying and rectifying problems with experimental equipment.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Zhanfeng Cui (zhanfeng.cui@eng.ox.ac.uk).

Responsibilities

Specific duties:

1. To isolate and culture human primary cells including mesenchymal stem cells.
2. To carry out cell characterisation, including ELISA，fluorescent microscopy, cell proliferation/toxicity assay, protein expression assay and etc.
3. To manage cell storage, freezing and thawing frozen cells appropriately (included but not limited to sterile handling of reagents and cell media, checking biological contaminations, and sterile work area).
4. To attend research conferences and project meetings.
5. To manage daily operations of the cell culture laboratory. Advise and direct the development and implementation of policies and procedures in the lab.
6. To establish standard operating procedures and protocols for sample preparation.
7. To maintain general stocks and supplies of frequently used chemicals and reagents, contributing to accepting and verifying deliveries for the Lab.
8. To maintain standards of practise and ensure that the laboratories are kept clean and tidy.
9. To assist in the maintenance of health and safety records (COSHH forms, training records etc.)
10. To manage the group chemical library, ensuring that risk assessments and SOPs are written for all equipment and processes.
11. To identify and rectify problems with experimental equipment.
12. To assist with the commissioning of commercial items of equipment, liaising with outside manufacturers/ contractors to ensure that goods and services are satisfactorily provided. 

Hazard-specific / Safety-critical duties

This job includes the following hazard-specific or safety-critical duties

• Handle cells derived from human tissues.
• Work with liquid nitrogen.
• Work with class 3b or 4 lasers.
• Handling chemicals with biological hazard.

Selection criteria

Essential

1. Hold a Masters (MSc)/Bachelor (BSc) degree in cell biology or related discipline.
2. Industrial experience in biotech or biopharmaceutical laboratories.
3. Hands on experience in the cell culture and functional assay.
4. Hands on experience with human cell culture techniques.
5. Experience in standard cell-based assays methods including: FACS, cytotoxicity assays, fluorescence microscopy.
6. Ability to manage own research and associated activities.
7. Ability to work independently and to interact effectively with other research staff and senior academics. 
8. Good communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience in laboratory management.
• Training or certified GMP, QA, QA qualifications.