Post-Doctoral Research Associate

Animal cells express genes and pathways that naturally inhibit the replication of viruses.  The balance between these innate/intrinsic inhibitors and the many factors that promote replication establishes the tempo of virus infection and, ultimately, contributes to disease outcome.  Research in Prof Malim’s lab primarily addresses interactions between human cells, genes & proteins and pathogenic human viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza A virus (IAV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – all with a view to understanding the fundamental principles that underpin virus infection, replication, transmission, zoonosis and pathogenesis.  Projects employ a multi-disciplinary blend of experimental approaches that draws upon molecular-genetic, cultured cell, biochemical, structural, bioinformatic and cohort-based methodologies.    

The Malim lab collaborates closely with Prof Mauro Giacca’s lab on a range of SARS-CoV-2 projects (e.g., Braga, L. et al (2021). Drugs that inhibit TMEM16 proteins block SARS-CoV-2 Spike-induced syncytia. Nature 594, 88-93).  Together, the groups have recently screened a mammalian secretome cDNA expression library and have identified a number of proteins that naturally inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication.  We seek to appoint a post-doctoral research fellow who will work collaboratively across our groups and build on these exciting observations to investigate the mechanistic principles underlying virus suppression by these secreted proteins, and explore how this information may be utilised in therapeutic design.  

The role holder will join a vibrant team of post-doctoral fellows and research associates, post-graduate students and undergraduate/ masters-level students to undertake discovery-inspired and internationally-distinctive research on the replication and control of SARS-CoV-2.  The role requires skills in molecular biology, cell biology, molecular genetics and biochemistry.  The appointee will be expected to display academic and technical leadership and innovation, culminating in research publications, presentations at international meetings/ conferences, and applications for extra-mural research funding. 

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 2 years 

This is a full-time  post - 100% full time equivalent

• To apply and/or develop of a wide range of laboratory techniques and experimental strategies to meet the objectives outlined. Essential to this will be the willingness to work with infectious human viruses in CL3 facilities  
• The willingness and ability to interact with collaborators and other members of the group working on related projects 
• To exercise initiative in project planning, development and delivery and work towards a degree of independence without close supervision 
• To assist with the supervision of research assistants and students at undergraduate, masters and PhD level 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

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