Research Assistant

Location: Old Road Campus Research Building, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ

We are seeking to appoint a Research Assistant for the pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine development programme led by Dr Mehreen Datoo and Professor Adrian Hill. You will be responsible for performing immunological assays to measure responses induced by vaccines in clinical trials.

The research involves immunological techniques carried out with human blood samples, including bead-based multiplex serological assays, ELISA, ELISPOT, and sterile cell culture (full training will be given). Experience of working to GCP is an advantage. You will have good interpersonal skills and be able to interact productively and accurately with other team members. Previous laboratory experience, good communication skills, pro-active problem solving and the ability to work as part of a team are essential.

You will support the general programme of immunology within the human pre-erythrocytic (PE) malaria vaccine trials. This includes general lab duties (maintaining supplies, consumables, and equipment); processing samples; preparing reagents. You will be cataloguing frozen samples and maintaining inventories and performing some data analysis. You will be highly organised, with proven experience in a laboratory environment. Attention to detail is paramount. Previous experience of working to HTA and in large dataset management would be an advantage.

It is essential that you have a degree in a relevant biological subject. You need to have a keen interest in malaria and immunology of infectious diseases and that you are self-motivated, technically competent and capable of working independently in a laboratory with keen attention to detail and ability to process samples to a consistently high standard. You should have excellent communication and organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Additionally, you should have good interpersonal skills and the ability to undertake laboratory work to GCP and HTA.

Applications for this vacancy should be made online and you will need to upload a supporting statement and CV. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. Please restrict your documentation to your CV and supporting statement only. Any other documents will be requested at a later date.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract for 12 months with a possibility of extension and is funded by European Vaccine Trials.

Only applications received before 12 midday on Wednesday 1 July 2026 will be considered. Please quote 187002 on all correspondence.

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