JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
TECHNICIAN (A·WOL Technician)
Reference:
Responsible to:
Head of Parasitology
Role purpose/summary:
The A·WOL consortium is a drug discovery and development programme to develop safe
macrofilaricides for river blindness and elephantiasis.
The post holder will be required to implement, sample, process and analyse A·WOL III screening
activities to assess novel chemotherapeutic interventions targeting Wolbachia and their impact on
filarial development, reproduction and survival. The post holder will assist with the maintenance of
filarial nematode and vector systems and will be expected to participate in other areas of research
associated with the research programme as required.
Key responsibilities:

Assist in filarial life cycle maintenance including generation of parasite and vector material and
in vitro culture of parasites.

Assist in the sampling and processing of biological tissues including qPCR, ELISA and various bioimaging techniques (stereo and confocal microscopy, Operetta).

Analyse data using appropriate imaging and statistical software and maintain accurate, up to
date electronic data sets.

Effectively communicate results to other members of the group and actively participate in the
planning of the research activities.

Provide an effective and efficient technical service.

Provide assistance to research scientists working on the same project.

Responsible for working in a safe manner adhering to local and legal requirements.

Any other duties commensurate with the nature and grade of the role.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Competency
Area
Qualifications,
Training &
Knowledge
Skills &
Experience
Criteria
BTEC Higher Level (or equivalent) in a
Biological/Chemical Science
Essential /
Desirable
E
BSc/MSc in Biological Science
D
Current UK institutional animal handling
certification to undertake procedural in vivo
experimentation
E
Understanding of relevant Health & Safety
legislation and procedures
E
Knowledge of the maintenance of parasite
and vector systems
E
Basic knowledge of molecular and
biochemical techniques
E
Relevant experience of working within a
research laboratory & experience of
standard laboratory protocols
E
Molecular biology techniques including DNA
extraction and PCR
E
In vivo (rodent) experimental systems
E
Filarial parasites and in vitro parasite culture
D
Ability to maintain records of data in
laboratory book and demonstrate effective
record keeping
E
Ability to statistically analyse numerical data
sets in appropriate software
E
Assessment
Application
Form
Application
Form,
Assessment &
Interview
Aptitude
Working to targets, milestones and deadlines
in a similar environment
E
Strong organisational skills
E
Computer literate, with experience of
Microsoft Office applications, with particular
regard to data handling and processing
E
Effective communication (both written and
verbal), with the ability to communicate at
all levels
E
Strong numerical skills
E
Interpersonal skills with the ability to
develop effective working relationships with
a range of people at all levels from diverse
cultures
E
Ability to use initiative and work
independently
E
Able and willing to learn and communicate
new research techniques
E
Willingness to help supervise and train PhD,
MSc and BSc students
E
Excellent attention to detail
E
Ability to work as an integral and cooperative member of a multidisciplinary diverse research team
E
Flexible attitude to work including out of
hours activities and working abroad in
tropical environments
Evidence of self-motivation and drive, with an
enthusiastic approach to work
E
E
Application
Form,
Assessment &
Interview