Job Description
Post:
Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Contract:
100% full time, Fixed term contract for 18 months
Summary of role:
The Department of Parasitology at LSTM is one of the largest of its kind with a broad portfolio
of research and technical assistance activities targeted at improving the control of infectious
diseases worldwide. The appointed individual will join a diverse group of parasitologists
working at the forefront of the field and with a global reputation for excellence.
Based at LSTM, you will work with a team of parasitologists in collaboration with established
industrial and academic partners in the UK on a project to investigate the Fc-fusion platform
for the delivery of novel adjuvant-based vaccines for malaria.
This post is for a postdoctoral scientist with a background in molecular biology and
immunology. You must have experience of molecular biology techniques and protein
expression, and the relevant experience to contribute to experimental design, data analysis
and manuscript and grant preparation.
We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic individual, willing to take on the challenge of
investigating how to deliver novel vaccines and approaches to the control of diseases for
which no vaccines are currently available.
Main duties:

To conduct molecular laboratory work to prepare and analyse Fc-fusion constructs for
our collaborators at the Jenner Institute.

To generate novel DNA constructs, mutants, and express these as proteins in
mammalian cell lines using state of the art tissue culture facilities.

To keep accurate records of samples processed, analyse and interpret the data
generated in an appropriate manner, prepare presentations of findings to scientists
and other stakeholders and actively write manuscripts arising from the work.

To work within a team of entomologists, computational biologists, parasitologists and
operational scientists and to providing assistance to research scientists working on
related projects, or sharing facilities, as required.

To take responsibility for working in a safe manner adhering to local and legal
requirements.

To carry out such other duties consistent with a position of this nature, as requested.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Criteria
Education &
Training
Experience
Competency
Essential / Assessment
Desirable
Post-graduate qualification (PhD) in a
relevant subject area
E
Proven continuous personal development
in a similar environment
E
Management skills, both in research and
in personnel
E
Excellent bench skills in all aspects of DNA
work, particularly plasmid design and sitedirected mutagenesis
E
Excellent skills in sterile techniques
including mammalian cell culture and
protein preparation
E
Excellent skills in the production and
analysis of novel proteins
E
Excellent skills in the computational
analysis of large molecular data sets,
particularly DNA, and the interpretation of
data in order to advance projects
E
Knowledge and ability to improve existing
protocols and to develop and implement
new techniques
E
Intellectual input and writing skills for
grant applications and research papers
E
Intellectual input and communication skills
required to establish and maintain
collaborations
E
Experience in the supervision of
undergraduate, post-graduate and Ph. D.
students
E
Application
Form/CV
Application
Form,
Assessment
and
Interview
Skills &
abilities
Knowledge
Excellent verbal and written
communication skills, with the ability to
communicate at all levels
E
Demonstrable skills in statistical analysis
E
Demonstrable attention to detail and
accuracy, leading to high quality control of
research data and results
E
Excellent organisational skills with the
ability to achieve research objectives
independent of supervision
E
Intellectual input and communication skills
required to establish and maintain
collaborations
E
Fully computer literate with working
knowledge of command line applications
E
Numerate and competent with statistical
and bioinformatic analysis
Special
aptitude
E
Experience of budgeting, management of
grants, and liaising with the Finance and
Purchasing Departments and outside
contractors
E
Responsible for writing and maintaining
Risk Assessments, Standard Operating
Procedures and COSHH documents, and
arranging training as required
E
Ability to work without supervision and
under pressure to meet deadlines
E
Excellent problem solving skills and ability
to take initiative
E
Assessment
and
Interview
Assessment
and
Interview
Assessment
and
Interview
Ability to work independently, cooperatively and productively within a
team environment
E
Ability to work with a range of people in a
multi-cultural environment
E
Approach
Demonstrate a confident, enthusiastic,
positive and energetic approach, with a
willingness to get involved in all aspects of
the project
E
Circumstances
Full Time
21 months fixed term contract from date
of appointment