Research Assistant

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

8 UK bank holidays

Pension schemes (USS/NHS)

Cycle to work

Staff membership to University of ?

Job summary

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine is seeking a Research Assistant (up to 3 posts) in Tropical Disease Biology, based in Liverpool. The role focuses on assembling and screening a large environmental microbial isolate library to discover novel antimicrobial compounds and other bioactive molecules, within iiCON.

Key responsibilities include day-to-day microbiology activities, SOP development, resource planning, and outreach to expand the isolate library. Fixed-term until 31 August 2027.

Qualifications

• MRes or equivalent in microbiology.
• Knowledge and wet-lab training in bacteriology.
• Knowledge of up-to-date molecular biology techniques.
• Training in MALDI-TOF bacterial identification.
• Thorough understanding of microbial genetics.
• Detailed knowledge of antimicrobial chemotherapy and resistance.
• Experience in a bacteriology research laboratory.
• Hands-on experience with general molecular biology techniques.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain laboratory records of methods and results.
• Perform daily microbiology activities within the project portfolio.
• Contribute to SOPs and risk assessments.
• Keep laboratory space clean and well supplied.
• Maintain a safe working environment.
• Organise stocks of reagents and microbial isolates.
• Assist in supervising students and lab visitors.
• Plan resources for smooth lab operations and ordering.
• Expand the environmental isolate library via outreach.
• Collaborate with partners to realise library potential.
• Coordinate outreach within the Swab and Send project.

Skills

MRes in microbiology

Bacteriology wet lab

Molecular biology techniques

MALDI-TOF training

Microbial genetics

Antimicrobial resistance knowledge

Bacteriology lab experience

Education

MRes or equivalent in microbiology

Job description

Research Assistant (up to 3 posts)

Tropical Disease Biology

Salary: £33,951 - £38,784 annum

Full-time, Fixed-term appointment to 31st August 2027

Liverpool

You will join the Tropical Disease Biology Department and contribute to a unique work package focused on assembling and screening a large environmental microbial isolate library. The primary aim is to discover novel antimicrobial compounds and other bioactive molecules with potential applications across sectors.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects within the antimicrobial, chemotherapy and resistance space including preparation and screening of an environmental microbial isolate library as part of iiCON.

Key Accountabilities

Technical Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain adequate laboratory records of methods, sample details and results
• Responsible for day-to-day microbiology activities within the project portfolio, working independently as well as collaboratively and in accordance with laboratory procedures and protocols
• Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures and risk assessments
• Ensure laboratory space is kept clean and well supplied
• Maintain a safe working environment
• Organise and maintain stocks of laboratory reagents
• Organise and maintain stocks of microbial isolates
• Assist with supervising students and visitors to the lab
• Assist with the planning and organisation of resources for the smooth running of the laboratory, including overseeing the ordering of apparatus, equipment components and materials
• Expand our environmental isolate library through public and community engagement
• Work with collaborators and stakeholders to ensure the maximum potential of the isolate library is realised.
• Co-ordinate and participate in outreach activities within the aligned Swab and Send project.

Project administration

• Liaise with other project partners at LSTM and within the iiCON consortium to determine if synergistic expertise exists which could benefit individual projects
• Provide assistance to undergraduate and postgraduate project students where appropriate
• Assist in preparation of presentations and reports for the line manager and consortium partners, and the funder where appropriate
• Provide assistance and actively participate in the planning of group research activities and aligned projects.
• Provide informal mentoring to group members working on other projects.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate

• MRes or equivalent in microbiology or equivalent
• Knowledge and wet lab training in bacteriology
• Knowledge of up-to-date molecular biology techniques
• Training in bacterial identification using MALDI-TOF
• A thorough understanding of microbial genetics
• Detailed knowledge of the antimicrobial chemotherapy and resistance space
• Relevant experience of working within a bacteriology research laboratory
• Hands on experience of general molecular biology techniques

Additional benefits of joining LSTM

• Access to support for your career growth through a variety of internal and external learning and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Platform offering a range of wellbeing initiatives and support, in addition to high-street discount offers
• 30 days annual leave, plus 8 UK bank holidays, in addition to 6 Christmas closure days
• Generous occupational pension schemes including USS (Universities Superannuation Scheme) and NHS pension schemes (subject to eligibility)
• Government backed "cycle to work" scheme
• Affiliated, discounted staff membership to the University of Liverpool Sports Centre
• A range of enhanced family friendly policies

Informal enquiries can be made to: [e-mail]

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.