Research Associate (Fixed Term) Cambridge, East of England
Job description
Available Job Today Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months in the first instance.
The world faces a major infectious disease challenge that is being made worse by antimicrobial resistance. We need new therapeutic modalities that overcome resistance and that do not affect the natural gastrointestinal flora, which is proven to be essential for gastrointestinal health. We contend that cell shape may be a targetable Achilles heel for enteric bacterial pathogens and has not yet been fully exploited for drug discovery and applications. To enable us to continue to explore this area of research, we have an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our team.
The focus of the research, led by Principal Investigator Dr Andrew Grant, is to perform hit profiling and mode of action studies on small molecules that alter the shape of enteric bacterial pathogens (Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium).
The workplan for the advertised position is anticipated to include the following components: (i) Hit profiling (characterisation of small molecule hits and hit expansion), and (ii) Mode of action studies (experiments to characterise functional activity and to assess any impact on bacterial virulence and host-pathogen interactions).
This is an 18-month appointment funded by the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Tres Cantos Open Lab Foundation (TCOLF), and is based in Tres Cantos, near Madrid in Spain.
The Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge is handling the recruitment for this role, but the successful applicant will be employed by GSK.
Key responsibilities: Research and scholarship
Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research. Conduct individual and collaborative research projects. Write up research work for presentation and publication. Continually update knowledge and understanding in field or specialism. Translate knowledge of advances in the subject areas into research activity. Manage own research and administrative activities, with guidance if required. Assist in the preparation of proposals and applications for funding and contractual purposes. Communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature.
Planning and organising
Plan the use of research resources and laboratories as appropriate. Plan and manage own research activity in collaboration with others. Contribute to planning of joint research projects led by Principal Investigator.
Liaison and networking
Liaise with colleagues and students. Build internal and external contacts and participate in networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.
About you: You will join us with: A PhD in Molecular Microbiology or a related discipline. A good understanding of bacterial pathogens. Practical experience in handling and manipulating bacterial pathogens. Practical experience in molecular, proteomic and cell culture assays. Excellent level of oral and written communication skills, with the ability to deal with a wide range of people across all levels. Proactive approach to problem solving everyday issues. Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines. Experience with high-content imaging platforms (Desirable). Experience of high-throughput drug screens (Desirable).
The ideal candidate will value teamwork and collaboration and will be able to demonstrate good administrative and interpersonal skills, and a high-level of computer literacy.
Informal enquiries about the project, should be directed to Dr Andrew Grant ([email protected]).
Queries regarding the application process, should be directed to Julie Ingham ([email protected]).
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Interviews will be held: 4 May 2023
Please quote reference PP35916 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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