Research Fellow

The Molecular Parasitology Research Group led by Professor Gobert, in the School of Biological Sciences, is looking to recruit a highly motivated individual with relevant expertise and interest in functional genomics of helminth parasites. This Research Fellow position is funded by the BBSRC for 3 years and will be supported by a Research Assistant, (also advertised) on the project.

Despite efforts, many helminth genomes, including schistosomes and Fasciola remain under annotated. The reliance of predicted functionality limits the discovery of new control targets for these important diseases. In the project the research team will develop and validate novel medium throughput phenotype driven assays, which will be applied to better annotating schistosome and Fasciola genes. From these new approaches, prioritised potential therapeutic targets will be evaluated in the parasites using traditional methods. This project will support a step-change in drug target discovery for helminths. We will do this by providing new research platforms to address drug-resistance challenges arising for these important pathogens.

The candidate will manage, lead and carry-out the laboratory research for this project with the goal of advancing our understanding of helminth biology through functional genomics.

About the person:

The successful candidate must possess the following essential criteria, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet each of them:

• BSc in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Biology or relevant life sciences subject.
• Have or about to obtain a PhD in a relevant area of parasitology, molecular biology/biochemistry or similar.
• Relevant research experience in state-of-the-art molecular microbiology (preferably yeast) AND/OR Relevant research experience in helminth parasite biology.
• Relevant experience in molecular/cellular methods such as PCR, cloning and genetic transformation and/or flow cytometry
• Relevant experience in comprehensive documentation of experimental procedures, data, and results
• Bioinformatic skills, such as homology searching or comparative genomics
• Communication skills, including oral presentations at conferences, and the preparation of scientific reports and/or publications.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.

This post is available for 3 years. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/

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