Research Assistant

Pirbright Institute; Pirbright; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Beautiful campus

Group Personal Pension Scheme

25 days annual leave

Cycle to work scheme

Childcare allowance

Job summary

The Pirbright Institute is a world-leading centre focused on research and surveillance of viral diseases affecting farm animals. Based on a dedicated campus in Pirbright, the institute employs 400+ staff and offers a comprehensive benefits package and a permanent laboratory position.

The role involves performing diagnostic assays, maintaining quality systems, and training colleagues, with potential longer hours during busy periods and on-call duties.

Qualifications

• Degree in biosciences and hands-on experience with diagnostic assays (ELISA, RT‑PCR) and virus handling.
• Ability to work accurately under pressure and adhere to quality management systems.
• Experience working autonomously and in a team within a high containment laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Perform virology and molecular assays for diagnostic testing.
• Assist with development and improvement of diagnostic assays.
• Prepare documentation and reports; support QA processes and biosafety requirements.
• Participate in on-call rota and out-of-hours diagnostic activities.
• Support day-to-day running of the laboratory and training of others.

Skills

Diagnostic assays

Real-time RT-PCR

ELISA

Education

Degree in biosciences

Tools

LIMS

Job description

The Pirbright Institute is a world-leading centre of excellence for research and surveillance of viral diseases affecting farm animals and viruses that spread from animals to humans. Strategically funded by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Institute works to enhance national and international capability to predict, detect, contain, control and eliminate economically and clinically important viral diseases through highly innovative fundamental and applied bioscience. Pirbright’s charitable objective is to conduct and promote scientific research into diseases of animals, including exotic diseases, and to develop appropriate methods for their prevention and control. Our mission is to be the world’s leading innovative centre for preventing and controlling viral diseases of livestock, applying scientific research to protect animal and human health and support the economy.

Based on a dedicated campus in Pirbright, Surrey, southwest of London, the Institute employs just over 400 staff, with research supported by 52 PhD students and nine interns from a wide range of backgrounds. We pride ourselves on the diversity of our community and on a culture built around our PRIDE values: Passion for the highest standards of quality, delivery and performance; Reliability in everything we do, including leadership, learning, biosecurity and anticipating and containing unexpected events; Innovation as the driving force behind our fundamental and applied science; Dignity and respect for every member of our diverse community; and Excellence in all aspects of our work, from health, safety and biosafety to scientific research, customer service and environmental protection.

Pirbright provides national and international capacity to predict, detect, understand and respond to emerging viral diseases of livestock, as well as endemic viruses circulating within and beyond the UK. Our diagnostics, surveillance facilities and specialist expertise form an important national capability, helping to protect the UK from livestock viral diseases that threaten our borders and enabling us to respond decisively and rapidly in the event of an outbreak. Our fundamental research focuses on viruses, hosts and the complex interactions between them, while our wider science addresses key challenges including protecting the UK and global agriculture from viral threats, increasing agricultural efficiency to improve animal health and welfare, mitigating the growing threat of vector-borne diseases driven by climate change, and improving human health through a greater understanding of vaccine-induced protection.

Advancing science to improve the world in which we live.

Organisation position & Purpose

The Pirbright Institute hosts the National Reference Laboratory for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and is designated as the World Reference Laboratory for FMD (WRLFMD) by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It also acts as a reference laboratory for FMD on behalf of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Main Purpose of the Role

Responsible for diagnostic testing, which will include:

• Performing virology and molecular assays
• Assisting with development and improvement of diagnostic assays
• Preparing of documentation and reports
• Comply with and support the the quality assurance processes, as well and the biosafety and health and safety regulatory requirements
• Participation on on-call rota and out-of-hours diagnostic activities

Responsible for:

• Supporting the day-to-day running of the laboratory, including but not limited to ordering and preparing reagents, maintaining and preparing cells, maintaining equipment, etc…
• Training others with procedures and use of equipment

This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of The Pirbright Institute.

Specific Requirements

• Degree in a relevant branch of biosciences
• Demonstrated practical experience of diagnostic assays (minimum one year), such as virus isolation, ELISA, real-time RT-PCR and processes that underpin diagnostic assays
• Capable of careful and precise work. Excellent attention to detail is critical.
• Demonstrable experience of working autonomously in a similar role; excellent organisational abilities and ability to multi-task, as well as working within a team
• Demonstrable experience in dealing with the physical demands of working in high containment.
• Evidence of reliability in dealing with high pressure situations
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Proven experience of good record keeping
• Demonstrable experience of working in a quality management system
• During busy periods, longer hours may be required, including weekend and overnight work in response to diagnostic and on-call needs
• Understanding of the steps required for assay development and validation
• Experience in using laboratory information management systems (LIMS)

Due to the nature of the work carried out by Pirbright, all successful applicants will be required to go through a comprehensive screening process including reference and qualification checks, financial and security clearances.

What Pirbright offers you

• A unique opportunity to shape both your research programme and the scientific direction of a world-leading institute.
• Beautiful campus in a semi-rural location with free on-site parking and good transport links.
• Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life assurance (subject to age and earnings).
• Professorial-equivalent appointment (Band H); salary negotiable.
• Permanent position with senior leadership responsibilities.
• Annual consumables budget, access to internal PhD studentships, internships, and seed funding.
• Eligibility for strategic funding for a postdoctoral researcher.
• 25 days annual leave plus public and privilege days, increasing up to 31 days with long service.
• Enhanced Parental package.
• Option to buy and sell annual leave.
• Option to carry over or buy up to two weeks' annual leave.
• Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount website).
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Childcare allowance.
• Electric car charging facilities.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Responsibilities may change to carry out other duties as may be reasonably required by the line manager and may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing need of The Pirbright Institute

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, if you have not heard from us within one month from closing date of the vacancy, then please contact us on [e-mail] for an update.

We acknowledge, understand, and embrace diversity, equality and inclusion

Our commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable environment that supports cutting-edge research and professional growth.