IMPERIAL COLLEGE
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Research Assistant (SM032-10)
Department:
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
School:
Public Health
Job Family/Level:
Research & Education, Level A
Salary:
£26,720 per annum
Contract:
18 month fixed-term
Responsible to:
Dr Matthew C. Fisher
Key Relationships:
Fisher group
Location:
St Mary’s Hospital campus, Paddington
The Post:
The applicant will work with a newly-funded European ERAnet project on the Emergence
of the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis: RACE (Risk Assessment of
chytridiomycosis to European Amphibians). The work will involve running molecular
diagnostics to support the project-team and database work, and work with amphibians.
The work will also involve extensive fieldwork in mountainous regions with amphibians.
The successful applicant will work within the Department of Infectious Disease
Epidemiology (DIDE) at the St. Mary’s Campus of Imperial College. DIDE is arguably the
largest grouping of infectious disease epidemiologists in the world with a very wide range
of skills represented, from experimental studies on bacterial/fungal pathogens, through
population genetics and infectious disease modelling to field work. As such, the
department offers excellent research facilities and a friendly, intellectually stimulating,
working environment.
Key responsibilities:









Provide technical support to the Fisher group
PCR/Sequencing
Field work collection of samples
Management of Fisher Lab informatics
Animal husbandry and collection in the field
Managment of BSL Category 2 laboratory
Culturing and maintaining pathogen stocks
General laboratory management and ordering of consumables
Assist in publishing research findings in scientific journals
Other Duties:






To assist with general laboratory activities
To undertake any necessary training and/or development
To undertake appropriate administration tasks
To attend relevant meetings
To comply with relevant College policies, including Financial Regulations, Equal
Opportunities Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy, Health and Safety Policy,
Information Systems Security Policy and Intellectual Property Rights and Register of
Interests Policies
Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by line
manager / supervisor
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.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The following qualifications and experience are essential requirements:
Qualifications
Essential


BSc in Biology or associated Life Science
MSc in an appropriate Life Science
Experience
Essential


Molecular techniques, specifically qPCR
Fieldwork experience involving amphibians
Desirable

Informatics (sequence & microarray database and analysis)
Skills & Abilities
Essential




Ability to work independently and also as part of a multidisciplinary team
Ability to work in harsh fieldwork conditions
Proven laboratory skills
Good verbal communication skills



Good written communication skills
Proven ability to organise own work with minimal supervision
Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
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 attach a CV it should include the following information:
Applicant’s full name, private address and private telephone number
A confidential fax number and e-mail address, where possible
Degrees (including University and dates)
Past and present posts
List of publications
Brief description of future research plans
Names, addresses and, email, fax numbers, of three referees.
Thank you for your interest in this post. We look forward to receiving your application.