Imperial College London
Job Description
Job Title:
Research Technician
Department:
Medicine
Division:
Infectious Diseases; Experimental Medicine and
Toxicology
Job Family and Level:
Technical Services, Level 2b
Salary Range:
£23,570- £24,850 per annum
Responsible To:
Professor Shiranee Sriskandan
Dr Robert Edwards
Works closely with:
Members of Professor Sriskandan’s research group
Members of Dr Edwards’s research group
Centre for Infection Prevention & Management
Location:
Hammersmith Campus
Funding:
Imperial BRC
Contract:
Full time for a fixed term of two years
Project Title:
Rapid Microbial Diagnosis by Mass Spectroscopy and
Antibodies in Severe Sepsis.
Professor Sriskandan’s ‘Gram positive’ research group is based in the category 2
Infectious Diseases laboratories and has longstanding collaborative links with Dr
Edward’s Proteomics research group which is based in Experimental Medicine, also
based at the Hammersmith campus.
The group research the pathogenesis and treatment of a number of clinically
significant infections including those due to group A streptococcus and
Staphylococcus aureus. A significant part of their work involves study of the interface
between host and pathogen using both basic laboratory-based techniques and
clinical research on patients with infection. The purpose of this post is to develop
studies of streptococcal and staphylococcal infection in the laboratory.
The collaboration between the two research groups has previously developed a
panel of antibodies that can detect the most abundant proteins produced by
Streptococcus pyogenes, a bacterium associated with a range of pathological
conditions which in extreme cases causes severe sepsis. The group have also
shown that certain streptococcal proteins can be detected in human clinical samples,
both in tissues and in serum. One aim of this project is to determine if this approach
could be clinically useful and if it can be extended to other more common bacterial
infections which currently take up to 48 hours to identify.
Summary of Post
The post-holder will be responsible for carrying out techniques to evaluate the
diagnostic potential of antibody-based detection of bacterial proteins. The postholder will compare the results of detection in experimental and clinical samples
obtained from serious bacterial infections with the results of mass spectrometrybased analysis of the same samples. In some instances alternative detection
techniques such as ELISA or real time PCR may be employed depending on the
bacterial target. We will also determine whether these same proteins are detectable
in serum samples from patients with bacteremia (by mass spectrometry or antibody
approaches). Training can be provided in all of these techniques.
It is envisaged that preliminary assays will be conducted on experimental samples
obtained from in vitro cultured bacteria and also from experimental infection models.
We anticipate the post-holder will participate in these studies gaining training in
handling of ACDP class 2 pathogens and, where suitable, a Home Office personal
licence. The post-holder will in many instances be responsible for collection of the
samples from either the Trust diagnostic laboratories or from the research
laboratories. The Trust main diagnostic laboratory is currently sited on the Charing
Cross campus; while most samples are despatched to Hammersmith for
experimental work, it may sometimes be necessary to retrieve certain samples from
other sites within the Trust.
The post-holder will be primarily based within the research laboratory of the Section
of Infectious Diseases and Immunity in the Commonwealth Building and will be an
integral part of the Gram positive pathogenesis group. In addition to the projectspecific duties above, the post-holder will also be required to provide day to day
laboratory support for current BSc, MSc, and PhD students as well as for existing
post doctoral scientists as projects develop under the direction of Prof Sriskandan.
Activities may include molecular biology techniques such as PCR, bacterial culture,
protein gels, western blotting, tissue culture, and assistance with experimental
models, including dissection and bacterial quantification. Some immunological
techniques may also be required including ELISA and flow cytometry. Training will be
provided for all techniques that are unfamiliar, in particular for work involving class 2
pathogens and experimental models. The post holder will also support the
organisation of the laboratory ensuring that equipment, stocks, and samples are
safely and adequately maintained within both the research laboratory and in the CBS
facility.
The post holder will also, with the CIPM Technician Magdalena Gierula, provide the
collaborative link between the work in the Experimental Medicine laboratory and the
category 2 Infectious Diseases laboratory which is based on the same site.
Duties
Under the direction of the line manager the post holder will:
Research Duties

Provide up-to-date technical expertise, advice and support in proteomics

Prepare peptides as necessary when required and assist in the analysis of
antibodies by western blotting and ELISA

Document and record maintenance of data and information, as relevant and
appropriate

Collect samples as required
Administrative Duties

Undertake general laboratory administrative duties including ordering laboratory
equipment and supplies and liaising with administrative staff for laboratory
budgets

Participate in local laboratory meetings including assisting with the presentation
of results to the group, collaborators, and to the research community in general

Assist with the preparation of grant reports and scientific publications making
contributions as appropriate

Assist in coordinating the laboratory work with post doctoral scientists and
PhD/Masters/BSc students working in the Infectious Diseases laboratories

Ensure that all work done in the laboratory complies with the applicable
regulations concerning use of biohazards such as category 2 bacteria and
maintain all documentation relevant to the above requirements by working
alongside the Departmental Safety Officer and the sectional laboratory manager
within the Health and Safety framework of the department of medicine.
Other Duties

Undertake any necessary training as required

Help maintain a highly efficient working laboratory by providing laboratory
assistance i.e., day-to-day coordination and running of the laboratory and
assisting with the progress of the group’s research programme

Comply with College policies, including financial regulations, equal
opportunities, promoting race equality policy, health and safety policy,
information systems security policy and intellectual property rights and register
of interest policies.

Perform any other duties which may arise commensurate with the grade of the
post as directed by the group Heads
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.
Personal Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential

The candidate should have a degree in Life Sciences, preferably in the area
of microbiology, immunology or protein analysis, or equivalent vocational
qualification as well as relevant laboratory experience
Experience
Essential

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Experience in laboratory-based research/laboratory environment, including
providing guidance in techniques and ensuring regulatory compliance
Practical experience with the scientific procedures relevant to the work in
particular biological sciences
Computer literacy using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Desirable

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Experience in analytical techniques associated with proteomics, e.g. protein
chemistry, antibody technology, western blotting, immunosorbant assays,
liquid chromatography
Experience in mass spectroscopic analysis of peptides/proteins
Experience in microbiology
Experience in preparation of samples from experimental models
Home Office licence
Experience in work with patient samples
Masters qualification in relevant subject
Training will be provided as necessary
Skills and Abilities
Essential

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Good laboratory skills
Methodical approach and close attention to detail
Good interpersonal and organisational skills
Ability to work with limited supervision and keep meticulous records
Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
Willingness to assist in contributing to reports and preparation of results for
publication
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Proven skills at problem-solving and overcoming obstacles
Ability to use own initiative and work independently and as part of a team, as
required

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Proven ability to prioritise, plan ahead and manage a high volume of work to
meet deadlines, both prescribed and self-imposed, and ensure that the
laboratory runs in an efficient and timely manner
Ability and willingness to adapt to changing timetables or work patterns as
dictated by changing circumstances
Ability to work under pressure while maintaining a high degree of accuracy
Other Requirements
Essential


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An open, flexible and positive approach to working in a constantly changing
environment
The post-holder should be prepared to work unsociable hours as work or
technical procedures demand from time to time
The post-holder must be willing to travel between sites to collect samples as
required
Willingness to undertake any training required for the role.
Application Guidance
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 quoting reference number HM2011034 should be sent, by the
closing date of 11 March 2011 (midnight GMT) online via the Imperial College
iRecruitment website.
Short listed candidates will be contacted as soon as possible after the closing date.
If you have any further queries, please telephone 020 8383 4575.
Thank you for your interest in this post. We look forward to receiving your application.