Research Assistant/Associate

Salary: 

Research Assistant: £34,630 to £36,320 per annum

Research Associate: £37,369 to £46,970 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: 12 November 2026

The Role

We are excited to offer an opportunity for a Research Assistant/ Associate in Neuromuscular Diseases to join the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (JWMDRC) at Newcastle University.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary and internationally recognised research environment bringing together clinicians, basic scientists, bioinformaticians, computational biologists and clinical trial specialists, all working towards the development of innovative therapies for rare neuromuscular diseases.

This 18-month full time fixed position is funded through two industry-supported translational research projects focused on the development of novel therapies to reduce fibrosis and fatty replacement in muscular dystrophies.

The successful applicant will contribute to the preclinical development of innovative therapeutic approaches for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and limb girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs). The work will involve the isolation and characterisation of primary human muscle cells, including fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs), establishment of cellular disease models, assessment of drug efficacy and cytotoxicity, immunofluorescence and molecular assays, and evaluation of therapeutic candidates in murine models.

The postholder will have the opportunity to participate in every stage of the translational research pipeline, from experiments using patient-derived samples through to in vivo preclinical studies. The projects are delivered in close collaboration with pharmaceutical partners, providing valuable exposure to industry-led drug development and opportunities to interact with external collaborators.

What we offer

The successful candidate will benefit from working within one of Europe's leading neuromuscular research centres, with access to state-of-the-art facilities, unique patient-derived resources, and an extensive international collaborative network. This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in translational drug development for rare diseases while contributing to projects with clear clinical impact.

As this is a laboratory-based role involving human tissue, advanced cell biology techniques and preclinical animal studies, with defined project milestones and ambitious timelines, the successful candidate will be expected to work on-site at the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre. The post is therefore not suitable for part-time or remote working.

The successful candidate will be required to complete the University's standard pre-employment checks, including occupational health clearance where appropriate. Occasional travel within the UK and internationally may be required to attend scientific meetings and meet with academic and industrial collaborators.

The successful candidate will benefit from working within one of Europe's leading neuromuscular research centres, with access to state-of-the-art facilities, unique patient-derived resources, and an extensive international collaborative network. This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in translational drug development for rare diseases while contributing to projects with clear clinical impact. 

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level. 

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents as part of your application:

• A current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A cover letter (maximum two pages) explaining your suitability for the role.

In your cover letter, please address the following points:

• Your experience in cell biology, including mammalian cell culture and relevant laboratory techniques.
• Your experience working with primary human tissues or primary cell isolation, where applicable.
• Your experience in planning and delivering independent research projects, including examples of meeting project milestones or deadlines.
• Your motivation for applying for this position and your interest in translational research in neuromuscular diseases.
• Any additional experience relevant to the role, such as preclinical drug development, animal research, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, or collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Key Accountabilities 

Research Assistant

• Conduct laboratory-based translational research using primary human muscle cells, including the isolation, culture and characterisation of fibro-adipogenic progenitor (FAP) cells and other muscle-derived cell populations.
• Perform advanced cell biology and pharmacological experiments to evaluate the efficacy and safety of novel therapeutic compounds using human cellular models of muscular dystrophy.
• Contribute to the planning, execution and analysis of preclinical studies in murine models of muscular dystrophy, ensuring compliance with all relevant ethical, regulatory and health and safety requirements.
• Manage experimental workflows, maintain accurate laboratory records, and ensure the timely delivery of project milestones in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and project partners.
• Work collaboratively with academic and industrial collaborators, contributing to regular project meetings and the communication of scientific progress.
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes.
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s).
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project.
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books).
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate.

In addition, for Research Associate

• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project.
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research.
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations.
• Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications.
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding.

The Person

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