Newcastle University
Laboratory Technician (Neurovascular Pathology)
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Salary: £29,588 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 15 September 2026
The Role
We seek a motivated Technical Assistant to join our team based in the Translational and Clinical Research Institute to support a study on the spatial accumulation of degenerative protein modifications (DPMs) e.g. isoDGR protein motifs in vascular dementia (VaD) and other common dementias, develop blood biomarkers to track DPMs as potential diagnostic tools and assess the efficacy of immunotherapy in two mice models involving stroke and white matter disease that cause vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). The position is funded by a UK Charity (ARUK) for up to 3 years.
The project involves evaluating the spatial distribution and accumulation of isoDGR-proteins in brain and vascular tissues from subjects who developed dementia and relevant controls using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) methods. Then identify and test the diagnostic potential of isoDGR biomarkers for patients at high risk of dementia, particularly VCID/post-stroke dementia (PSD) to establish ELISAs to estimate concentrations of isoDGR proteins in postmortem brain tissues and blood (taken in life) samples from the same subjects. Finally, test the efficacy of anti-isoDGR immunotherapy to promote immune clearance of isoDGR-damaged protein in mouse models of VCID by using immunopathological and fluid immuno-assay methods.
In this role, you will be based at our Newcastle Upon Tyne Health Innovation Neighbourhood campus. You will join the world-leading, multidisciplinary Mental Health and Neurodegeneration Theme (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/research-themes/mental-health/). You will work under the direct supervision of Professor Raj Kalaria and Mr Dan Jobson.
Reporting to the technical manager and principal investigator, the role will require specific technical and practical skills and a well-developed working knowledge of technical practices and procedures, acquired by experience on the job and/or vocational training. The post will work as part of a professional community to provide a technical support service to the project and students by following established working patterns, but there will be a need to resolve most problems without access to senior colleagues. The role may involve developing skills in a particular specialist area or planning and supervising the work of others.
If you have any questions prior to applying, please contact Professor Raj Kalaria (raj.kalaria@newcastle.ac.uk).
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Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/
Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes
This is a full time fixed term role for 36 months.
Key Accountabilities
- Assay different analytes from patient samples
- Sample and assay preparations within a laboratory setting
- Use different laboratory methods to analyse tissue or other samples presenting research findings within the group as necessary
- Perform IHC or IF assays on human tissues
- To contribute to the maintenance of SOPs and other laboratory management and quality documents relating to the processing and storage of research samples
- Complete a range of maintenance activities and simple repairs
- Liaise with suppliers and manufacturers to resolve problems and investigate replacement options. Source and negotiate with suppliers for a range of items including specialist parts/equipment
- Advise on equipment capabilities demonstrating how results can be achieved
- By developing local procedures, establish and maintain a safe/compliant working environment
- Oversee compliance tasks ensuring timely completion and maintenance of appropriate records
- Maintain broad and up to date health and safety knowledge providing support/advice to others, assisting with the completion and updating of a wide range of safety paperwork
- Schedule, prioritize and monitor work and performance in line with demands and deadlines
- Hold delegated responsibility from the academic/technical lead for the planning, operation, and supervision of a variety of laboratory spaces
- Work collaboratively with the other areas to ensure efficiency and elimination of duplicated effort
- Be a key contributor to service development, delivery and planning
- Contribute and support change
- Oversee local record keeping, inventory and asset management
- Create, update and implement procedures to deliver an aligned, efficient and effective service
- Provide a broad range of skilled research/teaching support
- Manage equipment bookings and assist with recharging
- Design, develop and deliver inductions, demonstrations and training covering a broad range of activities (not limited to techniques and equipment)
- Assist managers with the identification of training and development needs
- Develop a broad knowledge and skills base, sharing with others
- Mentor junior staff
- Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
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- Experience in assays of human biological fluids and tissues including immunofluorescence assays (ELISA)
- Experience of tissue processing for histopathology
- Thorough working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures, and experience of safe waste management within a workshop/laboratory environment
- Demonstrable work experience in a relevant technical laboratory role
- Excellent team working skills
- Demonstrates technical and problem solving capability
- Demonstrates good organising ability to meet deadlines with a positive and proactive approach to duties and attention to detail
- Ability to adapt to changes in research priorities
Desirable
- Subject knowledge of cerebrovascular or neurodegenerative disorders
- Experience in assessing neural or vascular function
Attributes and Behaviour
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Good interpersonal skills to interface with staff
- Attention to detail to ensure accuracy and precision
- Work in a collaborative and flexible way
- To exhibit University and Faculty values and principles
Qualifications
- BTEC HNC/HND or BSc in relevant subject or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Professional registration with an accredited professional body (including HEA) or working towards this on appointment
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 29594
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