Research Insectary Technician

Biocentis; Terni; In loco; EUR 25.000 - 35.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Join a leading biotechnology company as an Insectary Technician in Terni. You will work on innovative CRISPR technologies for vector control, supporting a diverse R&D team. Ideal candidates will have a degree in relevant fields and skills in insect manipulation. This role offers competitive salaries and the potential for permanent placement.

Competenze

• Degree in Biological Sciences or Entomology required.
• Experience in insect manipulation and rearing is highly desirable.

Mansioni

• Maintain transgenic Aedes aegypti strains for R&D activities.
• Support insectary activities including genetic crossing and data analysis.

Conoscenze

English

Insect manipulation

Organizational skills

Formazione

BSc in Biology

Master’s in Molecular Biology

Strumenti

CRISPR technologies

PCR

Gel electrophoresis

Descrizione del lavoro

Biocentis is an Imperial College London spin-out company on a mission to develop sustainable and eco-friendly genetic solutions for the effective and safe control of dangerous insect species that spread disease to humans, reduce biodiversity, or threaten food security. We leverage novel CRISPR technologies for vector control as biological, environmentally friendly tools that can be tailored to obtain levels of control suitable for a broad range of genetic applications. We are based in Italy (Terni and Milan) and employ a diverse and accomplished team with unparalleled experience in the scientific and technological fields and an outstanding track record in company building and management.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious biotechnology company on a mission to develop ground-breaking solutions to change the world for the better. Find out more at: www.biocentis.com

What we are looking for

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join as an insectary technician within our R&D department in Terni, which designs, produces and tests our technologies for a range of insect vectors of agricultural and human health concern.

The successful candidate will be working in the Aedes aegypti team, mostly providing technical support in the insectary under the supervision of senior members of the R&D team. The candidate will be responsible for the maintenance of strains of live Aedes aegypti,commonly known as the yellow fever mosquito,which includes screening for transgenics and sexing various life stages of these insects and will be involved in advanced experiments by helping with genetic crosses, phenotypic assays, and cage trials. The candidate will also seldom aid in genetic transformation, which involves both a heavy technical and molecular biology component, and strain molecular verification.

The role is technically demanding, requiring patience, precision and persistence under insectary conditions. One must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work as an integral member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-national, and diverse research team while also possessing excellent organisational and record-keeping abilities. Ideally, the candidate will have previously been trained in an insectary environment and will be familiar with different vector-control tools involving CRISPR/Cas9 and genetic transformation. Nevertheless, knowledge in both insect colony-rearing and maintenance, as well as molecular genetics, is desirable but not essential.

Candidates should hold a degree in the Biological Sciences or Entomology and possess the right to work in the European Union. Salaries are competitive and determined based on experience and skillset, with the ability to start off in an internship that evolves into a permanent position in the company, if deemed necessary. Candidates should be open to relocation from the current R&D facilities in Terni to Milan, planned for late 2025.

Responsibilities

•Maintain transgenic Aedes aegypti strains, ensuring that they are healthy, kept separately, clearly and correctly classified, and available for the required R&D activities.

•Aid in embryonic microinjection of Aedes aegypti, including identification and isolation of transgenics by fluorescence microscopy.

•Support insectary activities, such as insect sampling, genetic crossing, tissue dissection, and experiments that include phenotypic assessments, fertility and survival assays, and cage trials.

•Collect, meticulously record, analyse and present data in team meetings.

• Ensure the smooth operation of the insectary facility, ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and regulations.

Qualifications and Skills

•[Essential] Hold a BSc in Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Entomology or a similar discipline.

•[Highly desirable] Experience in insect manipulation and rearing.

•[Highly desirable] English proficiency: Possess an excellent understanding of English, be confident and fluent in communicating verbally and in writing.

•[Desirable] Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Entomology, or any other discipline relevant to genome engineering and vector control.

•[Desirable] Experience working under laboratory conditions.

•[Desirable] A strong working knowledge of molecular genetics, including CRISPR technologies.

•[Desirable] Knowledge of molecular cloning: PCR, gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, DNA purification.

Queries and applications can be sent to: [e-mail]

• Livello di anzianità

  Stage

• Settori

  Biotecnologie