London Centre for Nanotechnology 17-19 Gordon Street London WC1H 0AH www.london-nano.com
Job title: Research Associate (Postdoctoral) in Smartphone Connected Disease Diagnostics – microfluidics chip/reader devices.
Job reference number: 1343446
Grade: UCL Grade 7
Salary Range: £29,541 - £36,298 per annum (excluding London Allowance of £2,834)
Terms and Conditions: In accordance with the conditions of employment as laid down in the relevant UCL staff policies
Start date: 1st October 2013. The position is funded for 2 years in the first instance. Further funding may be available to support the post for a further 3 years.
Reporting to: The Director of the IRC, Dr Rachel McKendry
Job Description:
Applications are invited for a talented Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to drive innovation and development of microfluidic-diagnostic devices. The position is part of the recently awarded £16M five year EPSRC Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration in Early Warning Sensing Systems for Infectious Diseases, and benefits from a large scale multidisciplinary joint venture between scientists, engineers and clinicians from UCL, Imperial College, London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Newcastle university, in conjunction with Public Health England and industrial partners ranging from OJ-Bio through to O2 Health and Microsoft. The centre aims to create innovative mobile health technologies that allow doctors to diagnose and track serious diseases (such as major flu epidemics, antibiotic- resistant bacteria and HIV) much earlier than ever before.
Mobile health technologies that will be developed include smart-phone connected diagnostic tests for use in community settings and also web-tracking of search engine and social networking sites to identify early indicators of an outbreak. This early-warning diagnostic system has the potential to bring major economic and human benefits to patients, the public, the NHS and global healthcare providers – benefiting patients by allowing them to gain faster access to treatment, the public by curbing the spread of infectious diseases, the health service by enabling more cost-effective models of community based care, as well as providing new commercial opportunities for British industry.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: This core Research position will be responsible for the development of a range of innovative microfluidic chip/reader diagnostics - including paper/polymer-based analytical devices with optical/electrochemical readouts, lateral flow tests and MEMS devices. The person will be responsible for the integration of nanoparticle assays with these chip/reader systems – taking research from proof of concept research through to working prototype devices eg disposable chips, free-standing handheld units and smartphone connected tests. This is a position of high responsibility, requiring intellectual leadership, drive and vision. The person must have a demonstrated ability for creative, original independent research of the highest impact, ability to multi-task and organise their work to meet deadlines. He/she must have a proven track record in working in multidisciplinary teams with clinical and industry partners. The post will also involve supervision of postgraduate students and the creation of new teaching programmes at UCL.
This core Research position is funded for 2 years in the first instance. Further funding may be available to support the post for a further 3 years.
Key requirements:
The successful candidate must have a PhD in a relevant subject (or at least have submitted their thesis), with an outstanding track record of international research excellence in microfluidic analytical devices for diagnostic applications, prototypes and publications in high impact journals (eg Nature and Science). The role requires strong leadership and good interpersonal skills and a broad range of expertise and substantial experience in the following fields: diagnostics, microfluidics, clean room microfabrication, nanoparticles, device engineering, modelling and quantitative data analysis of biological fluids.
What we can offer you:
An exciting opportunity to be part of one of the largest EPSRC awards aimed at developing innovative 21st century solutions to tackle some of the greatest threats to human health – bringing together expertise from four of the UK’s leading research intensive universities. The successful candidate will benefit from working in a rich multidisciplinary environment and strong involvement with stakeholders including clinicians, UCL Partners, Public Health England, patient groups, regulators, industry partners ranging from OJ-Bio to Microsoft and O2 Health and links to over 100 countries in Africa, Asia and South America. For more information see our recent press release: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news- articles/0513/Mobile-health-technologies-to-rapidly-test-and-track-infectious-diseases
Main Duties and Responsibilities
To be responsible for the development of mobile diagnostic technologies for influenza and HIV based on microfluidic chip/reader systems To integrate nanoparticle/nanostar assays into microfluidic chips formats; To design, fabricate and evaluate paper and polymer microfluidic chips The on-chip integration of nanoparticle/nanostar plasmonic assays into simple robust formats To design, fabricate and evaluate optical and electrochemical readouts that can be interfaced with smartphones; To translate ideas from proof of concept assays through to systems integration and the development of prototype devices. To benchmark the diagnostic assays to gold-standard tests (eg ELISAs and also lateral flow tests) using model markers and real clinical samples eg nasal swabs and whole blood; To be responsible for training students, other PDRAs and staff in all of the above. To collaborate with academic, clinical partners and industry partners and to attend, participate in and help organise project meetings. To work closely with Professor Molly Stevens’ team at Imperial College who will develop novel nanoparticle assays and Professor Andreas Demosthenous’ team at UCL who will be developing low-noise microelectronic chips to wirelessly transmit the results to secure healthcare system. To ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times. To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings. To write regular (monthly) internal reports. To write reports for submission to research sponsors. To submit publications to the highest impact journals. To contribute to writing bids for research grants. To prepare material for presentation in oral and poster formats. To present findings to colleagues and at conferences. To provide guidance to small research teams including undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff. The postholder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by Rachel McKendry. If duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the postholder. The postholder will actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities and Race Equality policies. The postholder will maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Educational Qualifications
Essential: Applicants should have a PhD in engineering, physics or a relevant subject (or at least have submitted their thesis).
Essential Experience
Outstanding track record in innovative microfluidic chip/reader diagnostic assay development, ideally with clinical and industrial experience. Proven track record in device design, clean room fabrication, characterisation and evaluation Proven track record in optics and or electrochemistry and systems engineering; Experience in nanoparticles and microbiology would be an advantage; Experience with diagnostics assays in serum and whole blood; Ability to conceive, design and develop new microfluidic strategies. Understanding of best practice and safety in Containment Level 2 biological laboratories. Proven track record in supervising students and working in multidisciplinary teams
Essential Skills and Abilities
A demonstrated ability for creative and original research of the highest impact. Ability to multi-task and organise own work with minimal supervision to meet deadlines – including writing project plans, Gantt charts, milestones and deliverables. Ability to maintain a clear and up-to-date lab notebook and deliver written reports to management team and funding body; Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to relate appropriately to others and to work as part of a team. Produce both technical reports for the IRC management team, complete with underpinning documentation and compliant with EPSRC requirements Ability to communicate results effectively at meetings and conferences and with a range of stakeholder including clinicians, patients, industry and governments. Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly to a level consistent with publication in highly regarded international journals.
London Centre for Nanotechnology
The London Centre for Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary joint enterprise between University College London and Imperial College London. In bringing together world-class infrastructure and leading nanotechnology research activities, the Centre aims to attain the critical mass to compete with the best facilities abroad. Research programmes are aligned to three key areas, namely Planet Care, Healthcare and Information Technology and exploit core competencies in biomedical, physical and engineering sciences.
The Centre occupies a purpose-built eight storey facility in Gordon Street, Bloomsbury, as well as extensive facilities within different departments at South Kensington. LCN researchers have access to chemical laboratories, Category 2 biological containment laboratories, state- of-the-art clean-room, characterisation, fabrication, manipulation and design laboratories. This experimental research is complemented by leading edge modelling, visualisation and theory.
LCN has strong relationships with the broader nanotechnology and commercial communities, and is involved in much major collaboration. As the world’s only such facility to be located in the heart of a metropolis, LCN has superb access to corporate, investment and industrial partners. LCN is at the forefront of training in nanotechnology, and has a strong media presence aimed at educating the public and bringing transparency to this emerging science.
Virology
Virology at UCL is part of the Division of Infection and Immunity and comprises a number of world leading researchers at the forefront of research into HIV and other chronic virus infections. Virology is supported by a range of research grants including a £2.5 million MRC Centre grant for Molecular Medical Virology. A strategic partnership with the Bloomsbury Institute for Pathogen Research (BiPR) is a new joint venture between UCL and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to form a centre for world leading research on infectious diseases. Involving many MRC Centre members, BiPR brings together the basic science, translational and clinical expertise across the institutions, and associated hospitals, to provide an optimal environment to produce new drugs, vaccines and diagnostics.
About UCL
UCL is one of the UK's premier universities and is ranked in the world's top 10. It is a world- class research and teaching institution based in London whose staff and former students have included 20 Nobel Prize winners. Founded in 1826, it was the only university in England at that time which admitted students regardless of race or religion. UCL was also the first to admit women on equal terms with men. Today, UCL is an inspiring university in which to work and study and it continues to thrive on the diversity and creativity of its community.
UCL is in practice a university in its own right, although constitutionally a college within the federal University of London. With an annual turnover exceeding £ 700 million, it is financially and managerially independent of the University of London.
The UCL community
UCL currently employs approximately 8,000 staff and includes academic units as diverse as the Slade School of Fine Art, the Mullard Space Science Laboratory and the Institute of Child Health, which is associated with Great Ormond Street Hospital. In total, there are 54 Academic Departments and Institutes whose activities span the following: arts and humanities, social and historical sciences, law, architecture and the built environment, engineering sciences, mathematical and physical sciences, life and clinical sciences, and medicine. UCL's academic and research staff are a truly international community with more than a quarter coming from 84 countries outside the UK.
The UCL student community comprises 12,600 undergraduates and 8,500 graduate students, of whom over 30% come from 130 countries outside the UK. UCL currently offers 270 undergraduate programmes and more than 210 taught postgraduate programmes as well as the opportunity to carry out postgraduate research in all of its subjects. Approximately 40% of the student community is engaged in graduate studies, with about 37% of these graduate students pursuing research degrees.
Quality of UCL's teaching and research
Two measures of the current quality of UCL's teaching and research are the results of the external teaching quality assessment reviews and the periodic Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). The results of the UK's latest research assessment exercise (RAE 2008) confirm the international excellence of UCL's research. The numbers of our researchers shown in RAE 2008 to be carrying out world-leading research place UCL among the top three universities in the UK. Of the 1800 researchers submitted by UCL for RAE 2008, 95% were deemed to have an international level of esteem. The range of UCL's research excellence was demonstrated by outstanding results in RAE 2008 in academic disciplines as diverse as biomedical sciences, architecture and the built environment, economics, law, philosophy and history
Another measure of UCL's research excellence has been its success in bidding for external competitive funds from the Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF) and the Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF). With the addition of required matching funds, JIF and SRIF are allowing UCL to invest more than £ 350 million into state-of-the-art infrastructure for cutting- edge research and teaching programmes.
Equality
UCL is proud of its longstanding commitment to equality and to providing a learning, working and social environment in which the rights and dignity of its diverse members are respected. The Equalities website has everything you need to know about Equalities at UCL and some initiatives are highlighted below:
Sabbatical Leave following maternity - UCL provides one term of sabbatical leave without teaching commitments for research-active academics returning from maternity, adoption or long-term carer's leave. This support for returners enables staff to more quickly re-establish their research activity. Achievement of five Athena SWAN awards - for good employment practice for women working in science, engineering and technology (SET) in higher education and research. Tackling underrepresentation - UCL has two workforce equality targets. These targets are to increase the employment of black and minority ethnic (BME) support staff in grades 1-8 to 31% in line with the economically active BME population of Greater London; and to incrementally equalise the representation of men and women in senior grades (9 and 10) with the ultimate aim of a 50:50 split of women and men at this level. Encouraging flexibility - 82% of respondents to the 2009 UCL staff survey felt that their working time could be flexible. UCL's Work Life Balance policy gives employees the right to request a flexible working pattern.
Location and working environment
Based in Bloomsbury, UCL is a welcoming, inclusive university situated at the heart of one of the world's greatest cities.
UCL's central campus is within easy reach of Euston, Kings Cross and Marylebone mainline stations, the new Eurostar terminal at St.Pancras and the following Underground stations - Euston Square, Warren Street, Goodge Street and Russell Square. Road connections to the M1 and M40 motorways give easy access to the north and west road networks. There are also good public transport links to Heathrow airport.
Application procedure
Further details about the post and the application procedure are available at www.london- nano.com. Applicants are also requested to submit a 2-page research proposal outlining a research vision and workplan for the future development of mobile diagnostics. If you are unable to apply online please contact Ms Denise Ottley at the London Centre for Nanotechnology, [email protected] or 17-19 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AH, for advice.
Informal enquiries about the project can be made to Dr. Rachel McKendry [email protected]
University College London is committed to equality of opportunity and of eliminating discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in its Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality policy and Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.