Research Technician

Location: South Kensington Campus

Job Summary

We are seeking to appoint a Research Technician to join a project that aims to build and improve gene drive systems, based on the use of CRISPR/Cas9 expressed in the germline of the mosquito vectors of malaria, with the ultimate goal of malaria control by decreasing the reproductive potential of mosquito populations. The Crisanti laboratory has already achieved notable successes in recent years, and it is at the forefront in mosquito transgenesis, genome editing and gene drive.

You will help a large team of postdoc researchers and other technicians within the Crisanti group at Imperial College that form part of a larger, multi-disciplinary research consortium called Target Malaria. The project is aimed at designing, building, and testing novel gene drives through the incorporation of three components: nucleases with improved activity; rational choice of new genetic targets to be affected by the gene drive; modulating and regulating gene drive expression in time and space.

Duties and responsibilities

• You will have daily interaction with members of the group to assist in laboratory experiments applied to the generation and molecular analysis of modified mosquitoes, including learning the microinjection of mosquito embryos, and genetic crossing experiments.

• You will also assist in the performance of molecular diagnostic assays, fertility experiments and caged population experiments. Regular support to phenotype assays and working to high standards of insectary maintenance are also expected from this role.

• Duties will also include contributing to the smooth running and regulatory compliance of the two insectary facilities used by the group, including acting as a caretaker of wild type (on a rota basis to be shared with other technicians in the group) and transgenic mosquito strains, ensuring that mosquito colonies are healthy and supply samples are available to researchers in the group when needed for experiments.

• You will also be expected to monitor and replenish levels of stocks/stores of basic equipment and supplies and ensure that equipment, consumables, and work area are ready to use when required.

Essential requirements

• You must have a Bachelor Degree or equivalent vocational qualification in a biological sciences subject, plus demonstrable working experience in a relevant technical/scientific roles exhibiting good knowledge of molecular biology techniques and practical methods including RNA extraction, reverse transcription, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, DNA purification, blotting and probing, electrophoresis, PCR, qPCR, molecule blotting and probing, CRISPR/Cas9, site-specific mutagenesis, bacteria and cell-lines transfection.

• Previous experience of working with mosquitoes, including rearing and maintenance are essential requirements for this post. Basic experience of bioinformatics tools and of microscopy are desirable but not essential.

• Good verbal and written communication skills, accurate record keeping skills and the ability to prioritise tasks to meet tight deadlines and the ability to work with little supervision are essential. 

• You must be computer literate and a highly motivated, individual with demonstrable ability to learn.

Further Information

This is a full-time, fixed-term position available till 31 January 2025. You will be based on-site at South Kensington Campus.

Candidates need to complete an online application.

Should you require any further details on the role please contact Professor Andrea Crisanti (via c.supparo@imperial.ac.uk) or Dr. Carla Siniscalchi (c.siniscalchi@imperial.ac.uk).

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