Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Arbovirus Refractory Team

Keele University; Keele; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Professional development

On-site nursery

Staff pension

Health facilities discount

Cycle to work

Salary increments (Keele Spine)

Job summary

Keele University’s School of Life Sciences invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Arbovirus Refractory Team. The role focuses on ISVs and biotechnological tools to reduce arbovirus transmission, including virus and mosquito genetics work.

The successful candidate will lead a work package, develop laboratory and analytical skills, and may visit Estonia for hands-on training in Alphavirus research laboratories. Containment Level 2 experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience with molecular and virology techniques.
• Proficiency in plasmid design and cloning.
• Experience with mosquito maintenance and transgenesis.
• Ability to design experiments and analyze complex data.

Responsibilities

• Lead on one work package within the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project.
• Perform molecular virology experiments and plasmid design.
• Maintain and study mosquitoes and mosquito-virus interactions at Containment Level 2.
• Collaborate with project partners and contribute to training activities.

Skills

Molecular biology techniques

Virology techniques

Plasmid design and cloning

Mosquito rearing and transgenesis

Data analysis

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Arbovirus Refractory Team

This post represents an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual to join a research team in Keele University’s School of Life Sciences. The Postdoctoral Research Associate position forms part of a UKRI Future Leader Fellowship research project within the Arbovirus (arthropod-borne viruses) Refractory Team. Our team focuses on utilizing knowledge on how viruses function in our effort to stop their dissemination. We use genetic modification of both viruses and mosquitoes in an effort to develop novel technologies to control arbovirus transmission independent of conventional insecticides.

The successful candidate will take the lead on one of the work packages forming a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship research programme aiming to reduce the burden of mosquito-borne infectious diseases. In particular, this part of the project aims to further our knowledge of insect specific viruses (ISVs) and explore their potential as biotechnology tool. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop a range of laboratory and analytical skills, strengthen their personal professional development through courses and workshops as well as visiting one of our project partners in Estonia for hands-on training in one of the leading Alphavirus research laboratories.

Routine tasks of the successful candidate will involve molecular and virology techniques, plasmid design and cloning, mosquito maintenance and mosquito transgenesis as well as mosquito-virus interaction studies at Containment Level 2. They will be joining a dynamic and interactive team of researchers with a passion for virus research and science in general. The successful candidate will ideally have experience working with Hazard Group 2 pathogenic viruses, be proficient in a range of molecular and cell culture techniques and be able to come up with creative and innovative solutions to research challenges. The post will also entail developing reverse genetics virus systems, therefore experience in plasmid design and cloning is desirable.

Company: Keele University

Salary: from £39,560 a year, pro rata

Hours: Full-time

Location: Keele University, ST5 5BG

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Temporary

Benefits

• Competitive rate of pay with annual increments within the grade (Keele Spine)
• Generous annual leave entitlement with opportunities to purchase additional leave
• Access to continued personal, professional and career development
• Discounted health & fitness facilities on site
• Cycle to work scheme (subject to eligibility)
• Excellent staff pension scheme
• On site ‘outstanding’ nursery

Please note that the starting salary will typically be at the bottom of the pay scale shown above.

The University is committed to operating flexible working practices wherever possible.

The University

Keele University is renowned for its exciting approach to higher education, innovative research, beautiful campus, strong community spirit and excellent student experience. With a turnover in excess of £170 million, over 12,500 students and a total staff of approximately 2000, the University provides high quality teaching across a wide range of academic and vocational subjects and promotes world-class research. Further information can be found at https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/

Keele University values equality and diversity across our workforce and to ensuring our staff community is reflective of the diversity of our student population. In support of these commitments the University welcomes applications from individuals of Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds for all roles.

OH Please note this appointment is subject to medical clearance by the University’s Occupational Health provider.

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