Job Description

Job Title: Senior Mass Spectrometry Research Officer Metabolomics

Department / School: ECRC, IGC, CMVM, MGPHS

Reports To: Head of the Mass Spectrometry (Alex von Kriegsheim)

Job Purpose
To manage and operate all aspects of the mass spectrometry laboratory from consulting
users, experimental design, proteomic, lipidomic and metabolomic sample preparation
through to data analysis. To provide high quality mass spectrometry support researchers
across the IGC, University of Edinburgh and beyond.

Main responsibilities

1. To prepare and analyse samples for proteomic and metabolomic 30%

analysis using a wide variety of preparative techniques. Proteomic
sample preparation techniques will include urea extraction, FASP,
immunoprecipitation (& co-immunoprecipitation), off-line HPLC. In
addition, samples will often require quantitative analysis tandem
mass tagging or label-free techniques. Metabolomic/Lipidomic
extraction of polar compounds will also be performed for analysis
by LC-MS and stable isotopes will be used for metabolic flux
analysis.

2. Collaboration with and consulting users, including giving advice on 15%

experimental design so that samples submitted will be of
appropriate quality, suitable for testing hypothesis and experimental
worth.

3. To operate and maintain a Q Exactive, Q Exactive+ and Fusion 10%

Lumos mass spectrometer and associated on-line and off-line
HPLC systems

4. To maintain accurate records of various parameters of instrument 5%

performance for experimental quality control. To record details of all
samples and all consumables usage for audit purposes and to keep
consumables well stocked.

5. To perform data analyses in a variety of different software 20%

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 packages, including Proteome/Compound Discoverer, Mascot,
MaxQuant, Spectronaut, Xcalibur, Skyline, XCMS, mzMine, LipiDex
and LipiBlast. To present the data to researchers in a clear format
and to revisit and further mine data where required.

5%
6. To keep up to date with chromatography and mass spectrometry
techniques through reading, attending meetings and liaising with
vendors. To undertake method development to improve the level of
support for research in the IGMM. 10%

7. To maintain an academic interest in key areas of research in order

to suggest and provide appropriate mass spectrometric analytical 5%
support and to give seminars to students

Key Contacts / Relationships:

Internal: Line manager.

Many PIs, staff and students across the University who use or intend to use
the mass spectrometry facility.
External: External collaborators.
Mass spectrometry consultants, vendors and consumables salespersons.

Planning & Organising

Key decisions about priorities and approaches will be agreed with line manager. Thereafter
the post-holder will manage their own time allocation and workflow and liaise with
researchers accordingly.

Problem Solving
The varied and complex nature of the projects and the mass spectrometer requires a strong
capacity to troubleshoot problems on a daily basis. The post holder is expected to resolve
most problems within the facility using accumulated experience, with only the most serious
non-standard issues reported to the line manager for assistance. In addition, the post-holder
must be able to gain sufficient technical understanding to be able to identify areas where
productivity could be improved at all levels (e.g. sample preparation, instrumentation and
methods, data analysis).

Decision Making
The post-holder must be able to prioritise projects and manage their own time within the
framework agreed with the line manager. Thus routine proteomic/metabolomics/lipidomic
analyses should be dealt with by the post-holder. Unusual projects involving novel
approaches will be discussed with the line manager.

Knowledge Skills and Experience

Attribute Essential Desirable

Education,  Appropriate degree, with
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 Qualifications extensive post-graduate
& Training research experience.

 A PhD (or near

completion) or equivalent
professional
qualification.

Knowledge &  Good knowledge of  Experience in metabolomics,

Experience protein and small proteomic and lipidomic
molecule chemistry. facilities
 Working knowledge of  Experience in operating and
mass spectrometry. maintaining Orbitrap
 Working knowledge of instruments
liquid chromatography  Experience in bioinformatics
 Hands-on experience of analysis of data
mass spectrometry as
applied to biological
questions.
 Understanding of
labelling methods (e.g.
isotopic) as applied to
proteins and small
molecules.
 Ability to analyse
metabolomics,
proteomic, lipidomic
data.
 Ability to complete
projects to specific
timelines.
 Good interpersonal
skills.

Dimensions
 Interacting with other members of the research group.
 Active participation in critical discussion at group meetings.

Additional Information
This is an existing facility and the number of groups collaborating with us is rising steadily
across the University. The three LC-MS setups are being used for both
proteomic/metabolomics/lipidomic work, which is technically demanding and requires
proficiency in all three aspects. Many internal and external groups currently collaborate with
the facility and the aim is to expand these collaborations further. This will be a challenging
job, but one that will raise the impact of research throughout the University as a whole.

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If you require this document in an alternative format please contact HR by email at
HRHelpline@ed.ac.uk or by telephone on 0131 651 5151.

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