Post-Doctoral Research Associate - Zoonotic causes of Acute Febrile Illness

Lstmed; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global health research group seeks a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to enhance diagnostic tools for zoonotic diseases, impacting the health of children in sub-Saharan Africa. The role involves developing and evaluating diagnostic assays within a collaborative team of experts, contributing to important research in a dynamic setting.

Benefits

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Generous occupational pension schemes

Discounted staff membership to sports centre

Employee assistance programme

High street discounts and cashback offers

Cycle to work scheme

Family friendly policies

Qualifications

• Experience in diagnostic assay design and evaluation.
• Ability to lead test development activities.
• Familiarity with zoonotic diseases and their diagnostics.

Responsibilities

• Lead test development activities for zoonotic infections.
• Evaluate tests at laboratories and clinics within partner networks.
• Contribute to writing of research proposals and scientific reports.

Skills

Diagnostic assay design

Molecular tests

Research project execution

Education

PhD in relevant field

Job description

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Post-Doctoral Research Associate - Zoonotic causes of Acute Febrile Illness

Reference: MAY20250178

Expiry date: 22:59, Tue, 24th Jun 2025

Location: Liverpool

Benefits: 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional Christmas closure days

Are you passionate about global health and improving diagnostic tools for infectious diseases? Join our Global Health Research Group (GHRG) and help us make a real impact on the lives of children in sub-Saharan Africa.

Acute febrile illnesses (AFI) account for 40% of child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa, and an unknown level of morbidity and mortality in adults. Growing awareness of the animal origins of many human diseases (zoonoses) has highlighted their importance as causes of AFI. However, diagnosis of zoonoses is not widely pursued in low resource settings. This contributes to low awareness of zoonoses which hinders early detection and effective clinical management of AFI.

At GHRG, you will work alongside experts in paediatrics, epidemiology, microbiology, social science, diagnostics development, infectious diseases and zoonoses/arboviral research. Our overall aim is to improve the diagnosis and management of zoonotic causes of acute febrile illness (ZAFI) in children in sub-Saharan Africa.

You will be part of the LSTM diagnostics group, which leads work package 2: improving diagnosis. Within this, we are appointing a PDRA with experience in diagnostic assay design and evaluation, in order to lead test development activities for key zoonotic infections including brucellosis, leptospirosis and arboviruses. This includes both lab and point of care molecular tests, and biosensor-based immune assays.

You will develop tests at LSTM and evaluate them at labs and clinics within the GHRG partners network (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda). This role will require travel within Eastern Africa in order to carry out test evaluations, and support partners in the design and implementation of prospective studies. You will also contribute to the design of novel testing algorithms for children with fever based on the data generated during the work package.

As part of a dynamic team, you will contribute to the design, set-up, execution, and write-up of research projects centred around diagnostic test development. You will co-write applications for follow-on funding with the PI and lead the writing of manuscripts and scientific reports for the wider study team.

(To see a full list of responsibilities and requirements, see the job description attached.)

Additional benefits of joining LSTM:

• 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and 6 additional Christmas closure days
• Generous occupational pension schemes
• Affiliated, discounted staff membership to the University of Liverpool Sports Centre
• Employee assistance programme to support with employee well-being
• High street discounts and cashback offers
• Government-backed cycle to work scheme
• Plus, a host of additional family friendly policies

Application process:

To apply for the position please click on the apply link and upload your CV and covering letter.

Due to the volume of applications, we receive, we may close our vacancies early. It is therefore advisable to apply as early as possible if you would like to be considered for a role.

Inclusion is central to our values at LSTM.

We seek to attract and recruit people who reflect the diversity across our communities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, nationality, faith or belief, social background, age and disability. LSTM selects candidates based on skills, qualifications, and experience.

We welcome conversations about flexible working; and applications from those returning to employment after a break from their careers.

About LSTM

Founded in 1898 and the oldest of its kind in the world, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for teaching and research in tropical diseases. Through the creation of effective links with governments, NGOs, private organisations, and global institutions and by responding to the health needs of communities, LSTM aims to promote improved health, particularly for people of the less developed/resource poorest countries in the tropics and sub-tropics.

LSTM actively promotes Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Policies