Research Fellow (Maternity Cover)

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; Greater London; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine invites applications for a Research Fellow to work on the Gates-funded Field Evaluation of the P. vivax Serological Test and Treat project.

The role involves laboratory work and leading bioinformatics analyses with international partners. Ideal candidates hold a postgraduate degree (PhD preferred) with malaria genomics and clinical trials experience, and will contribute to publications and capacity building across collaborators in Europe and

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree, ideally a PhD, in a relevant topic.
• Experience in malaria genomics and clinical trials.
• Demonstrated experience in multiplexed amplicon sequencing assay design.
• Experience in bioinformatics analysis of genomic data from multiple platforms including Illumina and Oxford Nanopore.

Responsibilities

• Lead bioinformatics analysis of sequencing data and interpret results.
• Undertake laboratory activities at partner institutions, including sample selection and DNA extraction.
• Contribute to scientific publications and present findings to collaborators and stakeholders.
• Support project coordination, procurement, logistics, and shipment of lab supplies and equipment.

Skills

Bioinformatics analysis

Multiplexed amplicon sequencing

Clinical trials experience

Malaria genomics

Education

Postgraduate degree (PhD preferred)

Tools

Illumina sequencing

Oxford Nanopore

Job description

Department Department of Infection Biology Salary £46,643 to £52,909per annum pro rata ClosingDate Wednesday 11 November 2026 Reference ITD-DIB-2026-18

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of the world’s leading public health universities. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

This post is for a Research Fellow for the Gates-funded Field Evaluation of P. vivax Serological Test and Treat project.

The project involves targeted sequencing of malaria parasite infections and bioinformatics analysis within the framework of a clinical trial. It has a strong international component and will be performed in close collaboration with partners at the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) in Ethiopia, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, and Institut Pasteur de Paris.

The successful candidate will undertake laboratory activities at partner institutions, including sample selection, DNA extraction, and multiplexed amplicon sequencing. They will lead the bioinformatics analysis of sequencing data, interpret results, contribute to scientific publications, present findings to collaborators and stakeholders.

Working closely with researchers across partner institutions, the candidate will also contribute to training and capacity strengthening activities for local team members. The role requires regular international travel, with approximately 50% of the time spent at collaborating laboratories.

In addition, the candidate will support project coordination activities, including the procurement, logistics, and shipment of laboratory supplies and equipment required for project implementation.

The successful candidate will have a postgraduate degree, ideally a doctoral degree, in a relevant topic, relevant experience in malaria genomics and clinical trials, demonstrated experience in multiplexed amplicon sequencing assay design, implementation, and analysis, demonstrated experience in the bioinformatics analysis of genomic sequencing data generated from multiple platforms, including Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technologies. Further particulars are available in the job description.

The post is fixed term to cover maternity leave until 31 May 2027 and full-time 35 hours per week, 1.0 FTE. The post is funded by the Gates Foundation and is available from 01 December 2026. The salary will be on the LSHTM scale, Grade 6 in the range £46,643- £52,909 per annum pro rata (inclusive of London Weighting).

The post will be subject to the LSHTM terms and conditions of service.

• Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year, pro rata for part time staff.
• In addition to this there are discretionary “Wellbeing Days”.
• Membership of the Pension Scheme is available.

The post is based in London at LSHTM.

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We believe that when people feel respected and included, they can be more creative, successful, and happier at work. While we have more work to do, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace, a community that everyone feels a part of, which is safe, respectful, supportive and enables all to reach their full potential.