Research Scientist – In Vivo Pharmacology (IVP)
We are looking for an experienced Research Scientist to join the fast-growing team within our IVP unit at our site in Edinburgh! This position is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis.
Resolution Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing macrophage cell therapies to treat inflammatory organ disease. The company's technology platform is based on over a decade's work by Prof. Stuart Forbes and Prof. John Campbell, and provides RTx with a leading position in macrophage biology and regenerative medicine.
In 2020, following a productive collaboration between Edinburgh's Centre for Regenerative Medicine, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, and Syncona, Resolution Therapeutics was launched with a 26.6m series A financing.
Today, RTx is a multidisciplinary team of experienced scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs based in Edinburgh and London, working at the forefront of cell therapy and liver disease, supported by Syncona, Europe's leading life science investor.
In this role you will lead a project to develop and utilise non-invasive imaging methods to understand the pharmacokinetic properties of various macrophage-based cellular products in vivo. Using in vivo and ex vivo technical expertise, the candidate will be expected to establish clinically-relevant imaging methods that could be used to track cells in rodent models with a view to understand the distribution, abundance, and persistence of cell-based therapies in tissues.
Key responsibilities:
Identify, develop, and optimise direct and indirect in vitro labelling techniques that permit non-invasive tracking of macrophage-based products in vivo
Ascertain the biocompatibility of labelling methods on macrophage viability, phenotype, and function
Utilising local technical expertise, develop and establish a non-invasive imaging modality to track macrophage-based cellular products in rodent models of health and disease
If and when applicable, adhere to local guidelines, limits, and safety processes for the use, handling, transportation, and disposal of radiotracers
Working with Director In vivo Pharmacology, liaise with technical, clinical, and regulatory experts to facilitate the translation of non-invasive imaging methods to support a potential imaging clinical trial
Support research activity within the IVP unit during safety and efficacy studies to support the progression of macrophage-based cellular products towards clinical evaluation
Seek opportunities to test the feasibility for the establishment of non-invasive methods to quantify collagen content in rodent models of fibrotic liver disease
Applying experience and creativity to overcome research challenges, including refinement of protocols to render fit-for-purpose, troubleshooting of assays, and development and implementation of non-invasive imaging methods for in vivo cell tracking experiments
Establishing and maintaining a robust animal welfare environment to ensure compliance with the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 as per Home Office regulations
Performing laboratory-based experiments to measure parameters of fibrosis, injury, and inflammation in animal-derived tissue and biofluid specimens
Maintaining excellent record keeping of all research activities, including up-to-date lab books, writing standard operating procedures, and cataloguing biological specimens and reagents
Interfacing with the Cell Engineering, Macrophage Biology, and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell research units to streamline in vivo research activities and optimise engineered macrophage candidates under development
Writing patents, publications and summarising data for progress reports and presentations; delivering presentations
Please note that this list is not exhaustive
You will be expected to work as part of a team with likeminded Research Scientists and work closely with a Research Associate within the department, reporting directly to the Director of IVP.
The successful candidate must have the following qualifications, skills, and experience:
A PhD in pharmacology, immunology, biochemistry or other equivalent discipline
5+ years of experience in using one or more non-invasive imaging technique (e.g. PET, SPECT, MRI) to conduct independent in vivo research with rodents, ideally in a cell and gene therapy application (can include experience as a PhD candidate)
Experience of animal handling and in vivo techniques i.e., general husbandry, injections (via intraperitoneal, intravenous, and subcutaneous routes), appropriate use of anaesthetics and analgesics, and Schedule 1 techniques
Experience in cell culture (ideally with immune cells) e.g., handling cells using aseptic technique and familiarity with methods to assess viability, phenotype, and function
Experience with standard laboratory techniques, e.g. flow cytometry, qPCR, ELISA, cell death assays (LDH/ATP), immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, microscopy
Proven track record of independent manuscript publication and/or patent submission
Ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date records
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Preferable skills / experience include:
An active, or recently expired Home Office Personal Licence (if expired, within last 5 years)
A working knowledge of liver biology in health and disease
Familiarity with rodent models of liver disease
Experience of working with cell or gene therapies or other ATMP
Experience of aseptic techniques when working with immunocompromised rodents
Experience in a commercial laboratory environment
Experience with primary cell culture, ideally with monocytes/macrophages
Surgical experience (e.g. PIL C holder)
Benefits:
Our competitive package includes income protection, pension, private health insurance, and life assurance, as well as an opportunity to participate in the Company's incentive shares scheme.
Selection process:
Following your application, an initial call will be scheduled by the Recruitment Partner before being shortlisted. If successful, you will be invited to start the interview process which consists of 3 stages:
Initial meeting with the Hiring Manager and another member of the RTx teamPresentation & panel interviewConversation with the CEO
Please be aware that due to the volume of applications, feedback will not be provided at the application stage.
Please direct any questions and CVs in the first instance to our Recruitment Partner at Life Science People, Poppy Boronat ().
