Research Associate

(Postdoc) in CF Microbiology

Location: EKB, Royal Brompton campus, Chelsea, London 

Job Summary 

What do Cystic Fibrosis and Multiple Sclerosis have in common? Hmm, one’s an inherited condition, with progressive lung damage starting in childhood, and the other’s an acquired neurological disease seen mostly in adults.

So, nothing in common? 

Here’s the thing- there’s a drug called Glatiramer Acetate (GA) which people with MS use as an injection. We’ve shown it has some surprising antimicrobial properties. It’s not great on its own but together with one of the antibiotics people with CF have to inhale morning and night, and wow! Resistant isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa become susceptible to tobramycin, and others are killed more easily. 

Are you looking for a Postdoc in Microbiology/Bacteriology?

Do you want to work within a multidisciplinary, translational research group marrying excellent basic science with clinical excellence? 

If yes, you might be the person we need to drive this work forward.

Purpose of the Post

Funded by LifeArc as part of their Translational Challenge in CF and Chronic Lung Infection (https://www.lifearc.org/focus-areas/respiratory-health/chronic-respiratory-infection-translational-challenge/#:~:text=The%20LifeArc%20Chronic%20Respiratory%20Infection,with%20bronchiectasis%20and%20cystic%20fibrosis ). This project will provide crucial data towards developing GA as a treatment for people with CF and chronic lung infection.

Interested? Background here:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29142299/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35727066/

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.05.23.541429v1

Who are we looking for?

An enthusiastic PhD qualified scientist with strengths and experience in microbiology, who is keen to develop as a scientist in a translational environment. You will work closely with members of Professor Davies’ & Dr Allsopp’s groups at the NHLI, Royal Brompton campus, Imperial College London. This is a multidisciplinary research team with fundamental science and clinical members and strong links with the clinical interface.

Duties and responsibilities

You will:

• Build on, and optimise, existing SOPs for drug synergy testing
• Develop more complex culture conditions, mimicking the CF lung environment
• Identify suitable methodologies and ensure validity of data
• Take initiative in planning research, with
• Clear and timely communications to the Group
• Present findings to collaborators/colleagues/conferences
• Project management and supervision
• Maintain highly organised and accurate records of experimental work
• Undertake scientific and professional training
• Promote an energetic and positive environment
• Submit publications to leading journals and to attract external research funding

Essential requirements

You will have;-

• A PhD in microbiology, or closely related area
• Demonstrable interest in clinical respiratory infection, ideally cystic fibrosis
• Evidence of performing relevant research

Please see full list in job description

Further Information

The post is full time and fixed-term contract for 2 years.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £40,694 - £43,888 per annum.

To discuss please contact Jane Davies ([email protected] ) or Luke Allsopp ([email protected] ). Email address is for enquiries only.CV and covering letter need to be submitted via the online HR portal as detailed below.

To be considered for this role please complete an online application.

For technical issues when applying online please email [email protected]

The Group has strong links with Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology | Research groups | Imperial College London

Imperial College has an internationally leading Postdoc and Fellows Development Centre: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/postdoc-fellows-development-centre/ Postdocs have 10 days annually for personal/scientific development. 

Closing date: 03/04/2024

Apply online via the above ‘Apply’ button.