Fleming Initiative Research Technician

Location: Hammersmith Campus & St Mary’s Campus

About the role:

Do you have the meticulous technical laboratory skills to help decode the human immune response to a major global pathogen?

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of life-threatening infection worldwide. To stop it, we need to understand exactly how it adapts and how our bodies fight back. As a Research Technician within Dr Dinesh Aggarwal’s group, you will play a pivotal role in the delivery of a pioneering controlled human infection study that addresses this urgent need.

You will operate at the intersection of microbiology and immunology, overseeing the precise processing of both human and bacterial samples. Your work will be the foundation of this study; by executing rigorous lab protocols with absolute reproducibility, you will ensure the integrity of research that is essential for developing new vaccines and therapeutics in the global fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and a mission of the Fleming Initiative.

What you would be doing:

You will be the technical anchor of a multi-disciplinary team, working closely with clinical fellows and research nurses to process and analyse valuable samples.

You will:

• Managing the critical processing of both clinical human samples (including PBMC isolation) and bacterial cultures. Your ability to handle both sample types with precision is vital to the study's success.
• Undertaking rigorous protocol execution. You will be applying a wide range of laboratory techniques - from molecular diagnostics (qPCR, DNA/RNA extraction) to immunological assays (ELISA, ELISpot, Flow Cytometry), ensuring every data point is valid, reliable, and reproducible.
• You will act as a guardian of the study's data, maintaining precise documentation in electronic lab notebooks and contributing to the analysis that will underpin future high-impact scientific papers.
• You will lead on the efficient and safe operation of the laboratory, managing stocks and working flexibly to meet the time-critical demands of in-patient study schedules.

What we are looking for:

The successful candidate will need:

• An MSc in Microbiology, Immunology, or a related biomedical subject (or imminent award of one).
• Proven experience in a research laboratory environment. You will ideally demonstrate competence in both basic bacteriology (handling Category II pathogens) and molecular biology techniques.
• Immunological Expertise: Practical experience with human sample processing is essential. Experience with PBMC isolation, cell culture, or immunoassays (such as ELISA/ELISpot) is highly desirable.
• You must possess a meticulous approach to data recording and the ability to work independently under pressure. Flexibility regarding working hours is required to accommodate the unique needs of a human challenge study.

What we can offer you:

• Impact: The chance to contribute to the Fleming Initiative, a transformative partnership aiming to tackle AMR through people-centred science.
• Mentorship: Work within Dr Dinesh Aggarwal’s group, collaborating with the wider teams of Prof Chris Chiu, Prof Shiranee Sriskandan and Dr Malick Gibani. You will be supported by experienced researchers and gain exposure to cutting-edge experimental medicine.
• Growth: The opportunity to refine your laboratory skillset in a world-leading research environment, with access to Imperial’s dedicated career support for researchers.
• Reward: A Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

Further Information

This is a full-time post, fixed-term contract for 12 months in the first instance.

For further details, please contact: Dr Dinesh Aggarwal (d.aggarwal@imperial.ac.uk).

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