Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Location: Stirling Campus

The Post

The researcher position being advertised is for a 32 months Full time Grade 7 Research Fellow post to join an exciting collaborative project between University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture, Moredun Research Institute, Bimeda Animal Health and Vertebrate Antibodies Ltd. to develop a mucosal vaccine for Atlantic salmon to protect against the skin parasite, salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis.

The successful applicant will work with Dr. Sean Monaghan (PI) and Prof. James Bron (Co-I) on the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) funded project, “Development of a mucosally-delivered and active salmon louse vaccine for Atlantic salmon aquaculture” to produce an efficacious prototype salmon louse vaccine through reverse vaccinology. A novel aspect of the project is the incorporation of recently developed AI technology for novel antigen discovery. This will allow development of an oral vaccine to be delivered via mucosal antigen-presenting scaffolds.

Description of Duties

• Design and organise fish trials and sea lice experimental challenges
• Organise and assist with the collection of samples from fish at the Marine Environmental Research Laboratory (MERL), Argyll
• Travel to and work in remote areas of Scotland
• Design and organise vaccination-challenge trials at the Marine Environmental Research Laboratory (MERL), Argyll
• Develop and perform qPCR assays to determine immune gene expression from vaccinated fish

Essential Criteria

• PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline: e.g. molecular biology, immunology, parasitology, proteomics
• Possession of fundamental molecular biology lab skills (e.g. PCR, gel electrophoresis, RNA extraction etc.)
• Evidence of experience with RNA sequencing and/or allied transcriptomic techniques
• Evidence of working with experimental animals
• Evidence of ability to conduct high quality research work, and to disseminate results from such work

For further information, including a full description of duties, essential criteria and details on how to apply, please see Vacancy details | University of Stirling

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