Research Fellow

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Department of Infection Biology
Salary:  £43,947 to £49,908 per annum, inclusive.
Closing Date:  Wednesday 17 April 2024
Reference:  ITD-DIB-2024-08

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of the world’s leading public health universities. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

We are seeking to appoint a Research Fellow to plan, direct and undertake research concerned with understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning red blood cell invasion in the malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi, as part of a collaborative Discovery Award funded by the Wellcome Trust. The role will build on the development of P. knowlesi as an innovative and powerful model to understand how malaria parasites are able to invade host cells, a process that underpins infection and disease. The work will build on our team’s success in adapting CRISPR-Cas9 to P. knowlesi , as well as redefining key processes during invasion as well as the molecular roles of parasite proteins in driving these processes. The applicant will use experimental genetics approaches to study parasite genes associated with key roles in gliding motility, erythrocyte deformation and merozoite reorientation. This will require the development of an innovative array of assays, as well as the application of cutting-edge imaging approaches, including super resolution microscopy, expansion microscopy and live cell imaging to understand the biophysical processes underpinning invasion. The work will be undertaken with the Moon Lab at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and in close collaboration with the Knuepfer Lab (Royal Veterinary College, UK) and Frischknecht Lab (Heidelberg University, Germany). 

The candidate will have a postgraduate degree, ideally a doctoral degree, in a relevant topic and significant experience in molecular biology, ideally molecular parasitology, experience of eukaryotic cell culture, and development of novel and innovative phenotypic assays. The post also requires experience in the use of advanced microscopy techniques, epifluorescence or confocal microscopy acquisition and analysis. Other key skills including proteomics, flow cytometry and gene editing in malaria parasites are highly valued. The candidate should also be able to demonstrate contributions to written output, preferably peer-reviewed, as expected by the subject area/discipline in terms of types and volume of outputs. They should have the proven ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively as part of a research team, and evidence of excellent interpersonal skills. Further particulars are included in the job description.

The post is full-time 35 hours per week, 1.0 FTE and fixed-term for 4 years. The post is funded by the Wellcome Trust and is available from 1 May 2024. 

The salary will be on the Academic Pathway salary scale Grade 6 in the range £43,947 - £49,908 per annum (inclusive of London Weighting). The post will be subject to the LSHTM terms and conditions of service.  Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year, pro rata for part time staff. In addition to this there are discretionary “Wellbeing Days”. Membership of the Pension Scheme is available. The post is based in London at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. 

Applications should be made on-line via our jobs website . Online applications will be accepted by the automated system until 10pm of the closing date. Any queries regarding the application process may be addressed to [email protected] . Please quote reference ITD-DIB-2024-08. 

The supporting statement section should set out how your qualifications, experience and training meet each of the selection criteria. Please provide one or more paragraphs addressing each criterion. The supporting statement is an essential part of the selection process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not be considered. An answer to any of the criteria such as "Please see attached CV" will not be considered acceptable.                                                                                                                                         

Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We believe that when people feel respected and included, they can be more creative, successful, and happier at work. While we have more work to do, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace, a community that everyone feels a part of, which is safe, respectful, supportive and enables all to reach their full potential.