Research Assistant/Associate (Fixed Term)

We are seeking an enthusiastic and well-organised Research Assistant/Associate to join the group of Dr. Valeria Lulla (www.path.cam.ac.uk/research/virology-division/lulla-group) at the Department of Pathology (Addenbrooke's campus). Our research is focused on investigating human intestinal pathogens that progress to infections of the central nervous system. We are a strong and diverse team of researchers spanning multiple scientific disciplines, including molecular virology, imaging, omics and organoid infection models.

This position, funded by the Wellcome Trust, offers an exciting opportunity to integrate organoid infection models and molecular virology methods with high-throughput imaging, sequencing and RNA/protein interactions methods, to obtain novel insights into intestinal virus biology.

Candidates should have a PhD, or expect to obtain one shortly, and have a strong track record in RNA/protein molecular biology. Where the successful applicant does not yet have a PhD, he/she will normally be appointed as a Research Assistant on the understanding that he/she will be appointed as a Research Associate upon successful completion of his/her PhD.

Relevant experience in RNA/protein molecular biology is essential. Knowledge of virology, biochemistry and handling biosafety level 2 material would be advantageous.

The successful candidate will use a wide range of techniques, including cloning and mutagenesis, construction of recombinant viruses and replicons, human intestinal organoid culture and infection assays, RNA/protein/organelle extraction and analysis, protein-protein and protein-RNA interaction assays, microscopy, high-throughput RNA-seq and ribosome profiling.

The duties/responsibilities of this post include developing and driving research objectives, preparing research results for presentation/publication, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, delivering occasional seminars, acquiring new skills, keeping up with the scientific literature, using established procedures and developing new approaches, and maintaining accurate records of experiments and reagents.

Successful applicants will become an integral and valued member of a multidisciplinary group. The ability to work both independently and as part of a team, together with excellent communication and critical thinking skills are also essential. There are many professional development and training activities available via the university, and the successful applicant is encouraged to engage with such opportunities.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/45802.

Specific queries may be directed to Dr. Valeria Lulla (vl284@cam.ac.uk)

Please quote reference PK41010 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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