Research Assistant (Maini Lab)

Research Assistant (Maini Lab)

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant position in Mala Maini's research group at UCL. The position will help facilitate research seeking to understand adaptive immune responses to liver cancer to inform the development of immunotherapies.

The post holder will be based within the Institute of Infection, Immunity and Transplantation in UCL's state-of-the-art Pears Building, a world-class environment dedicated to translating advances in immunology into improved treatments for patients.

The Institute of Infection, Immunity and Transplantation brings together more than 20 leading immunology research groups working at the forefront of translational science. Through its close relationship with the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, IIT provides a unique setting where laboratory discoveries can be rapidly translated into clinical benefit.

Our research is highly collaborative and spans liver cancer and hepatitis B immunotherapy, bringing together scientists, clinicians and external partners to tackle some of the most important challenges in immune-mediated disease. Our work is supported by major funders including Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UKRI, the European Union and the Royal Free Charity.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge translational immunology research. You will play a central role in supporting the day-to-day running of the Maini Lab, processing and managing valuable patient blood and tissue samples from ongoing liver cancer immunotherapy studies and clinical trials.

Working closely with researchers, clinicians and trial teams, you will collect, process and cryopreserve clinical samples, maintain accurate laboratory records and databases, and support the delivery of advanced immunological assays. You will also contribute to laboratory management activities, including stock control, safety documentation and regulatory compliance.

The role provides the opportunity to work alongside a dynamic multidisciplinary team and gain experience with a range of modern research techniques, including flow cytometry, multiplex immunostaining, cell culture and tissue-based immune analysis.

This appointment is available for one year in the first instance, with the possibility of extension subject to funding and project requirements. Due to the nature of working with patient-derived samples, flexibility to occasionally work outside normal hours at short notice will be required.

About You

You will hold a degree in Immunology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences or a related discipline, and have experience working in a research laboratory environment. You will possess a good understanding of laboratory health and safety practices and have excellent organizational, communication and record-keeping skills.

You will be able to work both independently and collaboratively, managing competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and attention to detail. A proactive and problem-solving approach, together with the ability to follow standard operating procedures and adapt to changing priorities, will be essential.

Experience in areas such as tissue processing, laboratory management, database administration, ethics applications, flow cytometry or animal research would be advantageous, but is not essential. Above all, we are looking for a motivated team player who is committed to scientific excellence, continuous learning and delivering research that has the potential to improve patient outcomes.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details. Please also read the attached Candidate Guidance document.

Please only upload a CV and cover letter. Do not upload papers, theses, certificates or any other document as this will disqualify your application from assessment.

If you have any queries about the role or application process, technical issues, or need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, please contact the staffing team at hr.ii@ucl.ac.uk.

What We Offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

  Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

  Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

  As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.

  These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

  Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.