West Wing, Level 6, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU Web: www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk | Tel: +44(0)1865 234702 | Email: [email protected] Job title Postdoctoral Research Assistant (Maternity Cover) Division Medical Sciences Division (Ophthalmology) Department Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN) Location John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU Grade 7: £ 32,236 - £ 39,609 per annum Grade and salary A less experienced candidate may be appointed at Grade 6 (£ 28,660 - £ 34,189) with a commensurate adjustment in essential criteria, responsibility and duties. Hours Full time Contract type Fixed-term until the 31st July 2019 (6 months) in the first instance Robert MacLaren (Professor of Ophthalmology and Consultant Reporting to Vitreoretinal Surgeon) Vacancy reference 138519 Principal Investigator / Robert MacLaren (Professor of Ophthalmology and Consultant supervisor Vitreoretinal Surgeon) Project team Clinical Ophthalmology Research Group The funds supporting this research project are provided by Funding partner grants from medical charities and commercial partners. Xue K, Jolly JK, Barnard AR, Rudenko A, Salvetti AP, Patrício MI, Edwards TL, Groppe M, Orlans HO, Tolmachova T, Black GC, Webster AR, Lotery AJ, Holder GE, Downes SM, Seabra MC, MacLaren RE. Beneficial effects on vision in patients undergoing retinal gene therapy for choroideremia. Nat Med. 2018; 24(10): 1507-1512. Edwards TL, Xue K, Meenink HCM, Beelen MJ, Naus GJL, Recent publications Simunovic MP, Latasiewicz M, Farmery AD, de Smet MD, MacLaren RE. First-in-human study of the safety and viability of intraocular robotic surgery. Nat Biomed Eng. 2018; 2: 649– 656. De Silva SR, Barnard AR, Hughes S, Tam SKE, Martin C, Singh MS, Barnea-Cramer AO, McClements ME, During MJ, Peirson SN, Hankins MW, MacLaren RE. Long-term restoration of visual function in end-stage retinal degeneration West Wing, Level 6, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU Web: www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk | Tel: +44(0)1865 234702 | Email: [email protected] using subretinal human melanopsin gene therapy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017; 114(42):11211-11216. Edwards TL, Jolly JK, Groppe M, Barnard AR, Cottriall CL, Tolmachova T, Black GC, Webster AR, Lotery AJ, Holder GE, Xue K, Downes SM, Simunovic MP, Seabra MC, MacLaren RE. Visual Acuity after Retinal Gene Therapy for Choroideremia. N Engl J Med. 2016; 374(20): 1996-8. The role Clinical Ophthalmology Research Group (MacLaren Group) The Clinical Ophthalmology Research Group is led by Robert MacLaren, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Oxford and Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon at the Oxford Eye Hospital. Professor MacLaren also leads the Surgical Innovation and Evaluation theme at the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The objective of this theme is to establish a platform of multidisciplinary research projects across the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, encompassing surgical technology innovation from proof-of-principle to large-scale evaluation. Over the last decade Professor MacLaren has been at the forefront of translational medical research into novel clinical treatments for incurable retinal diseases, and is regarded internationally as a leader in the fields of retinal gene therapy, electronic retinas and ocular robotic surgery. The main objectives of Professor MacLaren’s translational medical research programme are the: Development of novel genetic, cellular and molecular therapies for retinal diseases. Investigation of innovative retinal prosthetics and ocular surgical techniques. Testing of novel therapies for retinal diseases in human clinical trials. Overview of the role The Clinical Ophthalmology Research Group is seeking a postdoctoral research assistant to cover ongoing laboratory work during 6 months’ maternity leave being taken by a team member. Responsibilities Contribute to the research programme of the Clinical Ophthalmology Research Group. Undertake the generation of preclinical research data to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)-like standards suitable for use in regulatory submissions, including the maintenance of electronic laboratory notebooks for recording all experimental data. Work to standards of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) for the collection, processing and storage of participant samples or other tasks related to current and future clinical trials. West Wing, Level 6, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU Web: www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk | Tel: +44(0)1865 234702 | Email: [email protected] Contribute to the maintenance of clinical and laboratory research standards within the Clinical Ophthalmology Research Group. Report and communicate on a regular basis with internal and external research collaborators, and present data at regular laboratory group meetings. Collaborate in the preparation of research papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals, which may include undertaking comprehensive and systematic literature reviews. Maintain safe workplace practices and procedures in accordance with the requirements of Health and Safety legislation. Supervise and train other members of the research group. Undertake public engagement activities on behalf of Professor MacLaren or the Clinical Ophthalmology Research Group. Actively participate in journal club meetings. Selection criteria Essential A higher degree (preferably a PhD) in molecular genetics, cell biology or a related area in the biosciences. A strong academic record, both in terms of grades achieved and awards received. Ability to demonstrate competence and success in scientific research as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications (preferably as first author) in highly regarded international journals. Excellent communication skills and fluency in English, as evidenced by seminars or presentations given at international meetings. Demonstrable experience of working cooperatively within a team, while taking personal responsibility for assigned tasks. Ability to work well under pressure, managing multiple tasks in a milestone-orientated research environment. Desirable Relevant research experience in the causes, mechanism and/or treatments of retinal disease (and familiarity with the existing literature and research in the field). Prior research experience of interventional clinical trials. Previous work with murine models of retinal disease. Expertise in handling, isolating and/or culturing mammalian cells. West Wing, Level 6, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU Web: www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk | Tel: +44(0)1865 234702 | Email: [email protected] About the University of Oxford Welcome to the University of Oxford. We aim to lead the world in research and education for the benefit of society both in the UK and globally. Oxford’s researchers engage with academic, commercial and cultural partners across the world to stimulate high-quality research and enable innovation through a broad range of social, policy and economic impacts. We believe our strengths lie both in empowering individuals and teams to address fundamental questions of global significance, while providing all our staff with a welcoming and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to develop and do their best work. Recognising that diversity is our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, we aspire to build a truly diverse community which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution. While we have long traditions of scholarship, we are also forward-looking, creative and cutting-edge. Oxford is one of Europe's most entrepreneurial universities. Income from external research contracts in 2016/17 exceeded £564m and we rank first in the UK for university spin-outs, with more than 130 companies created to date. We are also recognised as leaders in support for social enterprise. Join us and you will find a unique, democratic and international community, a great range of staff benefits and access to a vibrant array of cultural activities in the beautiful city of Oxford. For more information please visit www.ox.ac.uk/about/organisation Medical Sciences Division The Medical Sciences Division is an internationally recognized centre of excellence for biomedical and clinical research and teaching, and the largest academic division in the University of Oxford. World-leading programmes, housed in state-of-the-art facilities, cover the full range of scientific endeavour from the molecule to the population. With our NHS partners we also foster the highest possible standards in patient care. For more information visit: www.medsci.ox.ac.uk The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN), led by Prof Irene Tracey, has over 350 staff and 100 postgraduate students. NDCN has an established research and teaching portfolio with a national and international reputation for excellence. NDCN is based in high quality research and clinical facilities in the West Wing of the John Radcliffe Hospital, alongside the Department's world-class Oxford Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB), the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (which houses 3 of our research groups) and provides the ideal facilities to translate research from bench to bedside. In keeping with the award of NIHR Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre status, to a partnership between Oxford University and the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, we have developed a highly integrated and interdisciplinary