LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE
(University of London)
FACULTY OF INFECTIOUS AND TROPICAL DISEASES
DEPARTMENT of IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
POST NAME: Project Research Assistant (MALACTRES)
FURTHER PARTICULARS
1. ADVERTISEMENT
We are seeking to appoint a Project Research Assistant.
The successful applicant will contribute to the investigation of genetic mutations in the
Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite and the role of such mutations in drug resistant
phenotypes. A range of validated and novel assays will be employed to analyse parasite DNA
extracted from filter-paper bloodspot samples originating from antimalarial clinical trials run by
our collaborators in endemic regions. These assays will be run in a moderate to high
throughput manner.
The individual will be responsible for laboratory work associated with this project, and
everyday routine duties for the Sutherland group as required.
The post is funded by EC FP7 for a period of 6 months years and is available from 1st January
2012. The salary is on the Academic Pathway and will be £30,915 per annum, inclusive. There
is the possibility of a further 6 months extension with funds extending a current DfID-funded
project (decision pending).
Applications should be made on-line via our website at http://jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. The reference
for this post is CS1. Applications should also include a CV and the names and email contacts
of 2 referees who can be contacted immediately if shortlisted. 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 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 Europe’s leading school 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), ahead of the London School of Economics, Oxford, Imperial and University College,
London. The institution also achieved the largest increase in ranking compared with 2001, of
any of the top 10 institutions in the RAE rankings. 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 1400 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, 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 m£62.4
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
The School's mission is to contribute to the improvement of health worldwide through
the pursuit of excellence in research, postgraduate teaching and advanced training in
national and international public health and tropical medicine, and through informing
policy and practice in these areas."
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 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; macrophage-pathogen 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.
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 new, purposebuilt 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 currently supports five Clinical Training Fellows and two Career Development
Fellows, most of whom are based overseas.
Much of the Department’s research concerns HIV and related infections; in particular, the
interaction between HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases, and between HIV
infection and tuberculosis. We have longstanding and fruitful collaborations addressing these
issues in Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda and South Africa. Brian Greenwood FRS is leading an
initiative to strengthen malaria research in the School through new collaborative links in Africa.
Research and teaching on blinding diseases in developing countries has been greatly
strengthened by the recruitment of Allen Foster, who is Medical Director of CBM International,
an NGO with programmes for the prevention of blindness and disability in over 100 countries;
our research on trachoma has played an important part in framing the strategies adopted by
the WHO and the new International Trachoma Initiative for the elimination of blinding trachoma
by the year 2020.
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 DFID Resource Centre for Water and Environmental Health (WELL) and the
Hygiene Centre make up the Department’s Environmental Health Group, which plays a
leadership role in research and operational support for hygiene promotion, water supply and
sanitation. The Department also houses the largest research group in LSHTM working on
malaria control, including the DIFD Team for Applied Research to Generate Effective Tools
and Strategies for communicable disease control (TARGETs) and the Malaria Capacity
Development Consortium (MCDC). The Department’s valuable mosquito colonies are used for
testing repellent products and insecticides in the laboratory. The Department also includes a
major grouping of researchers using spatial analysis in public health.
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).
For lecturers and above:
To contribute to the Faculty teaching programme, up to 15% 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.
Project information
This post is funded by an EU FP7 research grant “Multi-drug resistance in malaria under
combination therapy: Assessment of specific markers and development of innovative, rapid
and simple diagnostics” (www.malactres.eu).
3.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
Project Research Assistant (MALACTRES)
Grade:
AP5
Responsible to:
Dr Rachel Hallett and Dr Colin Sutherland
Department:
ITD/IID
Main duties and responsibilities:
The successful applicant will contribute to the investigation of genetic mutations in the
Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite and the role of such mutations in drug resistant
phenotypes. A range of validated and novel assays will be employed to analyse parasite DNA
extracted from filter-paper bloodspot samples originating from antimalarial clinical trials run by
our collaborators in endemic regions. These assays will be run in a moderate to high
throughput manner.
The individual will be responsible for laboratory work associated with this project, and
everyday routine duties for the Sutherland group as required.
In addition to the general description of work, the following specific details apply:
Laboratory Duties
1. To carry out laboratory techniques including nucleic acid extraction from bloodspots,
standard and real-time PCR, DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.
2. To assist in the curation and archiving of blood samples and DNA, and recording of
results.
3. To provide training in these procedures to staff, students and visitors as appropriate
4. To assist in the day to day running of the Sutherland group research lab.
Administration
1. Responsibility for ordering and maintaining supplies essential for the project and
related research work.
2. To organise meetings to discuss procedures and results.
Other Duties
To attend relevant Unit and Departmental meetings as appropriate.
To liaise with project coordinator and project collaborators, including travel to sites.
Any other reasonable duties requested by the PI.
4.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential

A University degree or HNC in biological sciences

Experience with molecular biology, particularly in PCR, genotyping and assay
development

Experience with experimental laboratory work in parasitology

Demonstrated ability to trouble-shoot problems in laboratory research

Proven ability to carry out independent laboratory work and document results
Desirable
5.

Masters or higher degree

Experience with and knowledge of Plasmodium parasites

Demonstrated knowledge and experience of qPCR using fluorescent real-time
approaches

Experience with DNA sequencing and analysis

Proven record in developing and validating novel PCR assays
SALARY AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
The post is funded by EC FP7 for a period of 6 months and is available from 1st January 2012.
The salary is on the Academic Pathway and will be £30,915 per annum, inclusive. 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".
6.
APPLICATIONS
Applications should be made on-line via our website at http://jobs.lshtm.ac.uk The reference
for this post is CS1. Applications should also include a CV and 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 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