Advanced Research Assistant

We are seeking an Advanced Research Assistant to join the Lawniczak Lab to help with the day to day running and organisation of the lab. We are looking for a team player who has exquisite attention to detail, good laboratory practice, and excellent interpersonal skills to join our lab for two years in the first instance with good opportunities to progress after this period of time for the right candidate.

The Opportunity:

You will work as part of our team, focused on using sequencing approaches to study flying insects and their associated cobionts. The primary aspect of your role will be to run projects in the molecular lab including but not limited to high throughput DNA and RNA extractions, PCRs, evaluation and testing of new SOPs, and detailed tracking of sample management and processing. We often have new project ideas that require creativity and independent research to implement, and we are looking for a creative problem solver who takes initiative and has genuine interest in helping all lab projects succeed. You’ll be experienced handling large numbers (1000s) of samples, with careful attention to detail. You’ll have at least one year of full time lab experience with DNA and/or RNA, including extractions, measuring quality and quantity, PCR, troubleshooting, summarizing and presenting results to the lab team, and making proposals for next steps. Familiarity with sequencing library preparation for Illumina or ONT is useful but not required.

There are two other key aspects of the role that will take up 1-2 days of your time each week – you will be our Insectary Manager and our Lab Manager. This means after training, you will also be responsible for running our insectary, which entails blood feeding mosquitoes (no animals are required for this), taking care of their eggs and larvae, and ensuring the colony stays healthy. Other team members contribute to insect maintenance as part of a rota so while you will be responsible for ensuring the insectary is operating at a high standard, others will contribute their time too. There may also be opportunities to contribute to Plasmodium falciparum culturing in our CL3 facility. Previous experience in rearing insects or culturing malaria parasites is not required, as we will train you up on these areas. However, an interest in working with insects is essential. With respect to the Lab Manager role, you will take primary responsibility for placing team consumable orders, implementing our lab rota, ensuring Risk Assessments and Standard Operating Procedures are up to date, accurate, and organized for the wider lab.

This position requires someone who will be good at balancing many different demands on their time, shifting priorities and taking a large role in keeping our lab running smoothly. You will also be responsible for providing technical advice and guidance to two junior research assistants on a daily basis, who will assist you (and others in the team) with various tasks.

About you:

Excellent communication and relationship-building skills alongside strong time management and organisational skills are needed, as is the ability to troubleshoot and identify areas for process improvement. You should be able to quickly learn new techniques and new protocols and conduct bespoke experimental work using your experience and deeper scientific understanding, being able to troubleshoot, challenge and innovate where appropriate.

We value diversity and we welcome applications from anyone regardless of their gender, age, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, nationality, or their requirement for part time or flexible working hours due to childcare or other commitments.

Essential Skills
Technical Skills:

MSc in biological sciences and at least one year of laboratory experience in molecular biology techniques – or – a BSc and at least two years of molecular lab experience - or - a PhD with relevant molecular lab experience. Lab experience should include DNA extraction, QC, and PCR at a minimum
Excellent molecular lab techniques (e.g. clean-lab practices) and ability to troubleshoot and identify areas for improvements
Relevant experience in genetics or molecular ecology including but not limited to DNA barcoding (metabarcoding, mini-barcoding), and any other high throughput sequencing techniques
Familiarity with handling large sample sets and organizing data into sample tracking databases
Competencies and Behaviours:

Self-motivated with excellent communication and collaborative skills and able to work both independently and as part of a team
A “can-do” attitude and adaptable when work priorities need to shift
An ability to independently set priorities and meet deadlines
Excellent organisation and record keeping skills in traditional or digital labbook format
Ideal Skills
Technical Skills:

Experience with sequencing library preparation and scaling-up processes for high throughput protocols and sequencing

Other information
You can also find out more about our inspiring campus here and information on the Technician Commitment here.

Application process:

Please include your CV and a cover letter clearly outlining your suitability for the role by briefly listing your experience in each of the essential skills listed in the accompanying Role Profile.

Please also describe your molecular laboratory experience with regards to the techniques, methods and protocols you have used for DNA extraction, DNA barcoding/ metabarcoding and any other techniques appropriate to the role profile.

Applications without this information in the cover letter will not be considered.

We will be aiming to shortlist wk commencing 10th/17th January with the view to hold interviews wk commencing 24th January 2022.