Job offer Research Assistant/Associate in Molecular Parasitology

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking a motivated Research Assistant/Associate to contribute to a Medical Research Council-funded project focused on Trypanosoma brucei parasites. The role involves advanced lab techniques, cell culture, and collaborations with researchers. Ideal candidates should have a relevant degree and experience in molecular biology. Competitive salary and enriching research environment offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in molecular biology and genetic modification.
• Knowledge of cell cycle regulation and microscopy techniques.
• Familiarity with bioinformatic analysis pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments to assess signals driving cell cycle start in Trypanosoma brucei.
• Utilize molecular lab-based techniques to modify parasites genetically.
• Collaborate with researchers for in vivo studies.

Skills

Molecular lab techniques

Eukaryotic cell culture

Fluorescent microscopy

Bioinformatic analysis

Education

Relevant degree in biology or related field

Tools

CRISPR/Cas9 technology

Flow cytometry

Job description

Project Overview

We are recruiting a motivated and curiosity-driven Research Assistant/Associate to join an exciting new Medical Research Council-funded project concerning Trypanosoma brucei parasites.

The project is focused on uncovering the environmental triggers and molecular signalling mechanisms by which trypanosome parasites proliferate and pause proliferation, using multidisciplinary approaches. Trypanosomes are the cause of three Neglected Tropical Diseases (Sleeping Sickness, Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease) in humans and are spread by insect vectors.

In the research group, we culture African trypanosome parasites in vitro and use CRISPR/Cas9 technology to genetically modify the parasites, rapidly generating mutants and fluorescent parasite lines for study. We use methods including proteomics, microscopy, flow cytometry and single-cell transcriptomics.

Your project will be focused on assessing environmental and/or internal cellular signals that drive cell cycle start using Trypanosoma brucei culture and genetic manipulation, live fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. T. brucei is unusual in that it lacks many canonical mitogen receptors that, in other species, regulate cell cycle start.

To do this, you will use the state-of-the-art Bioimaging and Flow Cytometry units all housed within the institute. In addition to joining the multidisciplinary Biosciences Institute, you will also interact with the global community of parasitology researchers. This will include collaborations with researchers at the University of Edinburgh and the Institut Pasteur to perform in vivo studies aimed at identifying the host tissue environments where T. brucei actively proliferates and arrests in both murine models and tsetse flies.

In this role, you will learn modern molecular lab-based and bioinformatic techniques, gain experience of eukaryotic cell culture and genetic modification, as well as in vivo studies, and develop expertise in parasitology. In particular, you will develop live imaging methods to perform high-content fluorescent imaging of live parasites as they navigate the cell cycle, and the associated bioinformatic analysis pipelines.