JOB DESCRIPTION Post: PDRA or RA in Molecular Diagnostics Reference: 875 Responsible to: Lecturer in Tropical Diagnostics Contract: 22 months Summary of role: The post will involve working within the DFID funded consortium COUNTDOWN. You will work on the molecular epidemiology and surveillance of NTDs in Ghana, specifically on Schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (especially Strongyloides). You will work with the NTD team and the Polio surveillance network in Accra and you will be expected to train collaborators in molecular diagnostic testing, collate, analyse and present data. Key Responsibilities: Set-up of molecular diagnostics tests for neglected tropical diseases. Training Polio laboratory staff in qPCR and analysis. Travel to Ghana to organise and train staff for molecular testing. Analyse test results from Ghana. Report writing for DFID funded programme. Write up of publications and presentations at conferences. Some training of MSc students at LSTM. PERSON SPECIFICATION: PDRA or RA – Ref 875 Criteria Competency Education & Training MSc or PhD in biological sciences or similar with laboratory experience. Experience Demonstrable experience of working in a laboratory. Essential / Desirable E Assessment E Application Form, Assessment and Interview E Experience with qPCR. Application Form/CV E Experience of working to targets and deadlines. D Publication record in peer review journals. D Travel experience, working in different settings. Knowledge Skills & Abilities Special Aptitude Circumstances Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) with the ability to communicate at all levels. E Knowledge of diagnostic development, evaluation and implementation. E Molecular skills including qPCR. E Ability to write manuscripts for peer review journals. E Ability to perform training workshops in molecular diagnostics. E Enthusiastic approach to work. E Ability to use initiative and work independently. E Willingness to develop further research protocols for funding. E Willingness to help supervise and train PhD and MSc students. E Able to start work in the UK (with appropriate visa) before or during November 2015 Application Form, Assessment and Interview Assessment and Interview Assessment and Interview Application Form/Interview