LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE
(University of London)
FACULTY OF INFECTIOUS AND TROPICAL DISEASES
DEPARTMENT OF IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
1.
ADVERTISEMENT
RESEARCH FELLOW: IMMUNOLOGY & INFECTION
We are seeking to appoint a post doctoral scientist to contribute to a research programme
funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, entitled “AFIRM – Assessment of the Infectious
Reservoir of Malaria” which includes field studies in Burkina Faso and Kenya as well as
laboratory and analytical work at LSHTM and at the University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
The successful applicant will have a postgraduate qualification, research experience in
epidemiology, and a record of high quality publications in peer-reviewed journals. Prior
experience of clinical research or overseas field research in malaria would be a considerable
advantage.
The post is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for a period of up to 2 years in the
first instance and is available immediately. Salary is from £35,661 to £40,499 (inclusive). The
successful candidate will be placed on the scales according to skills and experience.
Applications should be made online via our website at http://jobs.lshtm.ac.uk/IID-ND1. The
reference for this post is IID-ND1. Applications should also include the names and email
contacts of 2 referees who can be contacted immediately if shortlisted. Any queries regarding
the application process may be addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal
opportunities employer
2.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is one of Europe’s leading schools of Public
Health and a leading postgraduate institution worldwide for research and postgraduate
education in global health.
Part of the University of London, the London School is the largest institution of its kind in Europe
with a remarkable depth and breadth of expertise encompassing many disciplines. The School
was ranked one of the top 3 research institutions in the country in the Times Higher Education’s
'table of excellence', which is based on the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). In
2009, the School became the first UK institution to win the Gates Award for Global Health.
The School’s environment is a rich multicultural one: there are almost 4000 students from 100+
countries following 22 taught masters courses delivered either in London (~650) or through
distance learning (~2700), and undertaking research degree training (~400). Over 40% of these
students are from non-European countries. The largest growth has been in distance learning
students (>40% over 3 years), though the London-based student population (where
accommodation limits growth) is at its highest level ever. Alumni are working in more than 180
countries. The School has about 1500 staff drawn from over 60 nationalities.
There are research collaborations with over 100 countries throughout the world, utilizing our
critical mass of multidisciplinary expertise which includes clinicians, epidemiologists,
statisticians, social scientists, economists, molecular biologists, immunologists,
ophthalmologists, anthropologists, virologists, pharmacologists and nutritionists. At any one time
around 100 School staff are based overseas, particularly in Africa and Asia. We have a strong
commitment to partnership with institutions in low and middle income countries to support the
development of teaching and research capacity.
The School has expanded greatly in recent years. Its research funding now exceeds £67M per
annum, much of it from highly competitive national and international sources. The commitment
of staff to methodological rigour, innovative thinking and policy relevance will ensure that the
School continues to occupy a leadership position in national and global health, adapting quickly
to new challenges and opportunities.
Mission
To improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve
excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into
policy and practice.
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases
The Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases encompasses all of the laboratory-based
research in the School as well as that on the clinical and epidemiological aspects of infectious
and tropical diseases. It is headed by Simon Croft, who is Professor of Parasitology. The
range of disciplines represented in the faculty is very broad and inter-disciplinary research is a
feature of much of our activity. The spectrum of diseases studied is wide and there are major
research groups with a focus on malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted
diseases, vaccine development and evaluation, and vector biology and disease control. The
Faculty is organised into four large research departments comprising: Pathogen Molecular
Biology, Immunology and Infection, Disease Control, and Clinical Research. There is close
interaction between scientists in different research teams. The Faculty has strong overseas
links, which provide a basis for field studies and international collaborations in developed and
developing countries. The teaching programme includes MSc courses, taught in-house and by
distance learning, which are modular in structure, a variety of short-courses and an active
doctoral programme (PhD and DrPH).
Department of Clinical Research (Head: Prof Alison Grant)
The Department of Clinical Research addresses infectious diseases of major public health
importance in developing countries. Activities include trials of new therapies, vaccines and
educational interventions; the development of new diagnostic tests; studies to elucidate the
immunological and molecular correlates of pathogenesis and protective immunity, and to
identify genetic polymorphisms conferring protection or susceptibility to infectious diseases;
health services research which aims to identify the most efficient and cost-effective way to
deliver health care; and health policy analysis. In addition to our many overseas collaborations,
we have close links with the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, in purpose-built accommodation on
the main UCL Hospital campus, five minutes walk from the School. The Wellcome Trust
Bloomsbury Centre for Clinical Tropical Medicine is based in the Department, and supports
Clinical Fellows at all levels, most of whom are based overseas.
The Department’s main research interests include HIV and related infections; in particular, the
interaction between HIV infection and tuberculosis, and other sexually transmitted diseases;
malaria; trachoma; leprosy; diagnostic tests for resource limited settings; eye health; disability;
and travel medicine.
Department of Disease Control (Head: Dr Mark Rowland)
This multidisciplinary Department includes epidemiologists, entomologists, anthropologists and
social scientists, clinical scientists, public health engineers and geographers. This range of
expertise provides us with a battery of tools for focusing on the control of diseases that are
insect-borne, water-borne or associated with poor hygiene – mostly in developing countries.
Much of the research can be categorised as: evaluating disease control interventions;
investigating implementation strategies - including working with the private sector;
understanding the factors underlying household behaviour in relation to family health; or
determining how control resources can be targeted most efficiently. Particular attention is paid
to research directed at current health policy issues, including the gap between policy and
practice.
The Department's Environmental Health Group plays a leadership role in research and
operational support for hygiene behaviour change, household water supply and sanitation.
Three key programmes which contribute to the work of the Group are the DFID funded
consortium Sanitation and Hygiene Applied Research for Equity (SHARE), the Hygiene Centre
(Unilever) and the improved sanitation randomised, controlled field trial jointly funded by the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation and International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie).
The Department houses the largest research group in LSHTM working on malaria control.
Ongoing projects include: research capacity strengthening in Africa through the work of the
Malaria Capacity Development Consortium (MCDC); novel approaches to combating malaria in
pregnancy (MiP) in both Africa and India; a number of projects which develop and evaluate
delivery mechanisms to improve ACT access, targeting, safety and quality, all funded by the
ACT Consortium. In addition, staff are involved in studies of Seasonal Malaria
Chemoprevention (SMC) in West Africa and are supporting work on the large Phase 3 clinical
trial study of the RTS,S malaria vaccine in children.
The Department is world-leading in applied entomology and insect borne diseases, and has
provided a testing service for control products for over 20 years. The Arthropod Control Product
Test Centre Arctec provides access to the Department’s valuable mosquito colonies and inhouse facilities for testing of repellents, insecticides and after-bite treatments. Its entomological
field sites in Tanzania, Benin, The Gambia and Kenya are involved in a variety of vector borne
disease control trials. The PAMVERC alliance between LSHTM and African partners work in
partnership with WHO and the manufacturing industry on product development and evaluation
under laboratory and semi-field conditions and in community trials.
Staff from the Department lead on studies investigating how meningococcal meningitis is
spread in Africa and the impact of a new serogroup meningococcal A vaccine on reducing
transmission (MenAfriCar Consortium). Staff are also assisting in the evaluation of the impact
of introduction of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine into the routine EPI programme of The
Gambia and in the initial testing of a new pneumococcal protein vaccine in the same area.
Also based with the Department is the IDEAS (Informed Decisions for Actions) project, which
aims to improve the health and survival of mothers and babies through generating evidence to
inform policy and practice. The Department also includes a major grouping of researchers
using spatial analysis in public health.
Department of Immunology and Infection (Head: Professor Eleanor Riley)
Research in the Department of Immunology and Infection centres on analysis of the host
response to infection at the molecular, cellular and population levels. The goals are to develop a
greater understanding of basic mechanisms of immunological protection versus pathology, and
to apply this knowledge to the development of immunological interventions and the identification
of correlates of immune status. Our work involves application of state-of-the-art cellular and
molecular approaches to the in vitro analysis of pathogen-host cell interactions, to in vivo
studies in models and to the study of immunity at the population level in disease endemic areas.
Main areas of research include the regulation of acute and chronic inflammation; macrophagepathogen interactions; cellular pharmacology; the production of cytokines during innate and
acquired immune responses; T-cell function and antigen recognition; the mechanisms of
immunopathology; the development of vaccines; and delivery systems for vaccines and drugs.
Current research includes the role of acute phase proteins in resistance to infection,
homeostasis and inflammatory disease, mechanisms of macrophage activation, control of
cytokine synthesis and mammalian lectin interactions (J. Raynes); intracellular trafficking and
secretory pathways of cells of the immune system (T. Ward); the role of innate responses in
resistance to the bacterial pathogens, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Burkholderia
pseudomallei, activity and regulation of natural killer cells and their effect on macrophage
activation and recruitment, regulation of chemokine receptors during infection and
granulomatous tissue responses in the lung against Cryptococcus neoformans and
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (G. Bancroft); correlates of protection against tuberculosis and
studies of BCG vaccination, human CD8+ T-cell responses to mycobacterial antigens and
synthetic peptides, use of whole blood assays in immuno-epidemiology (H. Dockrell); cytokine
and chemokine responses to leprosy, cellular composition and effects of steroids on skin and
nerve lesions of reactional leprosy, identification of specific peptides for immunodiagnosis of
leprosy (S. Young); innate and adaptive immunity to malaria including activation of natural killer
cells, cytokine regulation in clinical immunity and immunopathology, regulation of antibody
production and immunoglobulin class switching (E. Riley); using anti-malarial antibodies as a
marker of malaria exposure & assessment of the use of sero-epidemiology to monitor and
target malaria control measures www.seromap.com (C. Drakeley)transmission of Plasmodium
falciparum malaria including antibody responses to gametocyte-infected erythrocyte surface
antigens, effect of gamete antigen variability on transmission, gametocyte sequestration and
development and gametocyticidal drug therapy (C. Sutherland); characterisation of protective
immune mechanisms and defined antigens in attenuated vaccine models of schistosomiasis (Q.
Bickle); impact of concomitant viral, bacterial, protozoal and helminth infections on induction of
immune responses and immunopathology and T cell regulation and induction of mucosal
immune responses during intestinal nematode infections (H. Helmby); the identification and
evaluation of novel drugs and drug delivery systems for leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis and
malaria, interaction between antiprotozoal drugs and the immune response (L. Vivas, V.
Yardley)
Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology (Head: Professor John Kelly)
Research in the Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology focuses on the molecular biology
and genetics of pathogens and their hosts in the context of improving the understanding and
control of infectious diseases. Aspects of pathogen biology of interest include: (i) determining
the mechanisms of infection of globally important viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens; (ii)
deciphering the genetic diversity of selected disease agents in natural populations and to
determine its epidemiological impact, (iii) studying immune evasion mechanisms of particular
disease agents, (iv) exploiting parasitic, bacterial and viral pathogens as model biological
systems and (v) developing practical applications including improved diagnostic tests and the
identification and characterisation of vaccine candidates and drug targets.
PMBD currently has funding to investigate, amongst others, the malaria parasite (Plasmodium
spp), Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi), African sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei),
amoebic dysentery (Entamoeba), the Leishmania species, bacterial food borne pathogens
(Campylobacter jejuni and Yersinia enterocolitica), gastric ulcers/cancer (Helicobacter pylori),
pseudomembranous colitis (Clostridium difficile), plague (Yersinia pestis), paddy field
melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei), Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis),
Pneumonia (Streptococcus pneumoniae), Bluetongue viral disease of livestock, Herpesviridae,
SARS, the hemorrhagic fever virus (RVFV) and the enteric rotavirus that cause significant
diarrhoeal disease in infants developing countries.
The long-term aim of PMBD research is to gain a fully rounded understanding of the complex
and dynamic ways by which pathogens modulate virulence and interact with the human host.
Such a holistic approach will vastly increase the scope for the rational of design of long-term
intervention strategies to reduce the burden of infectious disease. In recent years such a
mission has been significantly enhanced by the availability of whole genome sequences.
Members of the Department are, or have been, involved in several pathogen genome projects
including Herpes, Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia pestis, Clostridium difficile, Entamoeba and
Trypanosome species. In particular, post genome studies have facilitated research on more
complex parasites such as Plasmodium, Entamoeba and Trypanosome species. The
interpretation and exploitation of this basic information is the platform for numerous new
avenues of research on pathogenesis, epidemiology and the evolution of virulence.
Teaching
The School offers 22 one year full-time taught courses leading to the Master of Science (MSc)
degree of the University of London and the Diploma of the London School of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine (DLSHTM). The Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases runs or
contributes substantially to ten of these courses and the “Immunology of Infectious Diseases”
course is run from within the Department of Immunology and Infection. In addition, the Faculty is
responsible for the three-month Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) and offers
a range of specialist short courses lasting usually one or two weeks. Three MSc courses are
also offered by Distance-based Learning, including one on Infectious Diseases.
Teaching requirements
For research assistants and research fellows:
To contribute to the Faculty teaching programme, up to 10% of your time per annum, subject to
the policy of any funding agency (by agreement, some staff may make a greater contribution
than this).
Research Training
The School offers two doctoral training programmes. The MPhil/PhD degrees are designed for
those who wish to go on to a full time research career. The DrPH is directed towards those who
expect their careers to be more in the practice of public health.
3.
THE RESEARCH PROGRAMME
In several recent fora focused on malaria elimination (MalERA, MEG) and vaccine development
(WHO MALVAC 2010, BMGF/NIH gametocyte biology meeting) the paucity of data on what
governs human infectivity to mosquitoes has been identified as a critical knowledge gap
hindering attempts to control and eliminate malaria through transmission reduction.
Assessments of the human infectious reservoir of malaria have been made very infrequently
despite the fundamental relevance to our understanding of malaria transmission. We believe
that knowledge of whether infectiousness predominates in certain age groups, what the duration
of the infectious period is and how these elements change with intensity of transmission and
seasonality of malaria will allow better targeting of control strategies.
In this programme we will establish a standardized framework for assessing population
infectivity to mosquitoes and thus the infectious reservoir in different malaria endemic settings.
This will enable identification of target populations and optimal timings for control efforts
including malaria Transmission Blocking Vaccines (MTBV). Data generated by the project will fill
crucial gaps in mathematical models of malaria transmission and will allow examination of
correlates between routinely collected clinical, parasitological and entomological metrics by
quantifying the processes that link these metrics.
As a first step we propose to improve and validate currently available assays in order to develop
a quantitative measure of infectivity to mosquitoes that is suitable for large scale screening of
naturally infected individuals. We will compare microscopic and molecular readout systems for
quantifying the proportion of infected mosquitoes feeding on naturally infected individuals.
Different approaches will be validated in laboratory settings and subsequently implemented in
field trials.
The research program will have three objectives:
1. Development and evaluation of a sensitive and reproducible assay to determine
mosquito infection rates in experimental infections conducted in field settings. Following
this we will develop a protocol that minimizes intra-experiment variation in the
assessment of human infectivity by experimental infections in field settings.
2. Determination of the human infectious reservoir for malaria in different settings that are
representative of the different patterns of malaria transmission in Africa. This will be
achieved by xeno-diagnostic membrane feeding assays and cross sectional surveys.
3. Longitudinal assessment of the infectiousness of symptomatically and asymptomatically
infected individuals by repeating membrane feeding assays over varying periods of time.
In this component of the programme, we will estimate both the infectiousness potential
and the real-life infectiousness in the context of natural exposure to mosquitoes.
4.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
Research Fellow
Grade:
Academic Pathway Grade 6
Responsible to:
Drs Chris Drakeley & Teun Bousema
Department:
Immunology and Infection
Start date:
1st November 2012 / ASAP
Hours of work:
There are no fixed hours of work for academic staff. Staff are expected to
work such hours at such times as are reasonably required to carry out the
duties associated with the post, but not less than 35 hours per week for a
full-time appointment.
Accountability:
The post holder will be responsible to the Project Principal Investigators,
Drs Chris Drakeley & Teun Bousema, the Head of Department
(currently Professor Eleanor Riley) and the Head of Faculty (currently
Professor Simon Croft).
Main duties and responsibilities:

Conduct research within a research programme funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, entitled “AFIRM – Assessment of the Infectious Reservoir of Malaria” which
includes field studies in Burkina Faso and Kenya as well as laboratory and analytical
work at LSHTM and at the University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Contribute to design and implementation of field surveys to estimate population
infectivity to mosquitoes.

Contribute to collection and analysis of biological samples relevant to the study.

Contribute to data collection, analysis and dissemination.

Work closely with overseas collaborators to ensure timely and effective delivery of
milestones.

Disseminate research findings through international meetings and peer-reviewed
publications.

Assist with training and supervision of doctoral students (PhD and/or DrPh) and
academic visitors in research as appropriate.

Assist with supervision of student projects within the MSc Courses (e.g. Immunology of
Infectious Diseases, Control of Infectious Disease, Epidemiology).

Play an active part in the academic life of the School and participate in departmental and
faculty activities including participation in seminar programmes and laboratory meetings.

Any other reasonable duties as requested by the Head of Department or Head of
Faculty.
Teaching:

Contributing to the Faculty teaching programme, up to 10% of his/her time per annum for
a Research Fellow post, subject to the policy of any funding agency (by agreement,
some staff may make a greater contribution than this).
5.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:

Postgraduate qualification (MSc and/or PhD, or equivalent) in biological/health sciences

Research experience in epidemiology

A record of high quality publications in peer-reviewed journals commensurate with
experience

Demonstrable skills and experience of conducting population based health surveys

Evidence of a meticulous approach to conducting experiments in both field and
laboratory and to recording of data, protocols and daily activities

Excellent time management, organisation and communication skills, including written
and spoken English

Sufficient numerical and mathematical skills to manage large data sets and become
adept at standard statistical analyses

Computer literate, e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint & statistical software

Demonstrable ability to work independently and as part of a team

Demonstrable ability and prior experience of working with people from diverse
backgrounds in a multicultural environment

Work experience in an overseas setting

Flexibility in terms of working practice, role and working hours

Ambitious, self-motivating and with an open and friendly personality
Desirable:

Prior experience of mosquito infection including parasite culture and mosquito
husbandry

Willingness to travel and to spend extended periods working at field sites in remote
locations in Burkina Faso and Kenya

Prior experience of molecular analysis

Field entomological experience

Prior experience in managing project logistics, e.g. ethics applications, placing orders for
laboratory consumables

A working knowledge of French
6.
SALARY AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
The appointment will be a full-time post on Academic Pathway Grade 6, with a salary from
£35,661 to £40,499 (inclusive). The successful candidate will be placed on the scales according
to skills and experience. The post is funded for 2 years in the first instance with the possibility of
an extension, depending on individual performance and continuation of funding.
Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year for all staff (pro-rata for part-time staff). In
addition to this there are 6 fixed-date "Director's Days".
7.
APPLICATIONS
Applications should be made online via our website at http://jobs.lshtm.ac.uk/IID-ND1. The
reference for this post is IID-ND1. Online applications will be accepted by the automated system
until midnight of the closing date. Any queries regarding the application process may be
addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk.
The supporting statement section should set out how your qualifications, experience and
training meet each of the selection criteria. Please provide one or more paragraphs addressing
each criterion. The supporting statement is an essential part of the selection process and thus a
failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not be considered. An
answer to any of the criteria such as “Please see attached CV” will not be considered
acceptable.
Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date it may not
be possible to offer you an alternative date.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal
opportunities employer