Job Title:
Group:
Division:
Department:
Job Family and Level:
Research Assistant
Mucosal Infection & Immunity
Infectious Diseases
Medicine
Academic and Research, Level A
Salary Range: £27,400 – £30,450 per annum
Responsible To: Dr John Tregoning (Non-clinical lecturer)
Working Relationships: Internal – members of Dr Tregoning’s and Professor
Shattock’s groups within Mucosal Infection and
Immunity.
Location:
Duration:
External – members of the Biovacsafe consortium
St Mary’s Campus
Full time and fixed-term for 4 years.
Research Programme
Dr Tregoning’s group works on pre-clinical vaccine development for childhood infections. We are particularly interested in controlling respiratory infections. To achieve this we use a number of in vitro and in vivo models of vaccination and infection.
Job Summary
The post will be supported by a grant funded by the EU IMI (industrial-academic collaboration) ‘ Biovacsafe ’. The aim of the project is to define bio-markers of safe vaccines to rationalise the safe development of future vaccines. You will be testing a range of vaccines and infections using both in vivo and in vitro systems for their inflammatory profile. The project uses a variety of immunology, cell and molecular biology and biochemical techniques. Under the overall direction and supervision of Dr
Tregoning, you will apply and extend your knowledge of relevant laboratory techniques.

Research Duties
Under the direction of the line manager, you will be involved in:

Planning and executing experiments
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Developing technical expertise and carry out a range of research techniques to time and quality standards.
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Completing and passing an animal training course and obtaining a Home
Office personal licence, if not a current licence holder.
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Documenting and analysing experimental data
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Participating in local laboratory meetings
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Ensuring good laboratory practice is in place
Administrative Duties
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General laboratory administrative duties including ordering
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To help maintain a highly efficient working laboratory
Other Duties
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To attend relevant meetings
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To ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times
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To assist with presentation of results to the group, collaborators, and to the research community in general
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To assist with preparation of grant reports and scientific publications
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To undertake any necessary training and/or development
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Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if required
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Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by line manager/supervisor
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To collaborate with other allied scientists within Imperial College and elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate
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To promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and so the post holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
The post holder is expected to observe and comply with all College policies and regulations, for example Health and Safety, Data Protection etc.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in our Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality
Policy and Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.

Qualifications

A BSc or equivalent in virology, immunology, or a related field
Knowledge / Experience
Essential
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Experience in laboratory-based research
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Knowledge of general laboratory practice, techniques and instrumentation
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Basic computing skills and experience of using statistical software
Desirable
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Experience in some or all of the following techniques:
- In vivo murine models
- Cell Culture
- FACS analysis
- ELISA
- DNA extraction and quantification
- RNA extraction and quantification
- PCR

Background in a similar work environment
Training will be provided as necessary
Skills and Abilities:
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Methodical approach and close attention to detail
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Good organisational skills
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Ability to work with limited supervision
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Ability to keep meticulous records
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Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
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Proven problem solving skills
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Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Personal Attributes
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Willingness to work independently and within a team
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Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times
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Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role
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Flexible attitude towards work
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Willingness to travel to conduct research and attend conferences/meetings.
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Willingness to assist in contributing to reports and publications
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Good interpersonal skills, open-minded and co-operative
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Willingness to work with in vivo animal models

Please read the person specification carefully and describe, as part of your application, how much you feel you meet each of the criteria. If you need more space, please attach additional sheets to the application form.
The recruitment monitoring section of your application will be detached and will be used only for monitoring and audit purposes as a basis for supporting our commitment to Equal Opportunities.
An application form and full CV quoting reference number HM2012051 should be sentonline via the Imperial College iRecruitment website.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted as soon as possible after the closing date.
Thank you for your interest in this post. We look forward to receiving your application.