Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Closes: 6 September 2024
Contract length: FTC 30 months from start date (not to exceed 27/05/2027)
Salary: £38,500 - £40,000
About the Role

The post-holder will be a pivotal member of the Mucosal Immunology group and will support activities funded by the Institute Strategic Grants awarded by the BBSRC and FluLab.

The aim of this program of work is to develop broadly cross-reactive vaccines that will protect humans against influenza, even in the event of a pandemic. We will produce viral-vectored vaccines expressing NP+M1 with NA and test the protective efficacy of different routes of immunisation in influenza-exposed pigs, to mimic the effect of human pre-exposure to influenza virus. We will study T and B cell responses in detail in different tissues to determine the effect of route of vaccination and attempt to identify correlates of protection. Pigs are genetically, immunologically, physiologically, and anatomically more like humans than small animals and an excellent model for human influenza. The project will require a scientist with training in a wide range of immunological and virological techniques such as FACS analysis, ELISA, ELISPOT, microneutralisation, virus propagation and plaque assays.

This project represents an exciting opportunity to be part of a consortium comprising the Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, the Francis Crick Institute, and the Pirbright Institutes carrying out One Health research. It is suitable for virologists and/or immunologists with a keen interest in translational research for human and animal health. The post-holder will report to the Mucosal Immunology Group Leader.

Personal Specification

Time management, reliability under pressure, decision making/problem solving skills, action-oriented, entrepreneurial, agile, ethical/credible, inspiring, creative, influential, collaborative, emotionally intelligent, diplomatic, results driven, passionate, engaging and recognising.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible for conducting research into transmission, evolution, and immunity to swine influenza viruses.

  • Determination of antigen specificity and function of MABs (neutralisation, binding, ELISA, HAI, ADCC, CDC and ADCP).

  • Preparation of virus challenge material and quantification of virus load in tissues.

  • Mammalian expression of protein antigens.

  • Analysis of B and T cell responses after influenza infection and/or immunisation (T and B cell ELISPOT, Flow cytometry, cell proliferation).

  • Analysis of the evolution and transmission of influenza viruses.

  • Contribute to animal studies to evaluate properties of transmission blockers.

Responsible for working as part of a research team, which will include:

  • Communicating progress and data, including presentations at internal and external meetings.

  • Preparation of manuscripts for peer-review, stage-based milestone reviews and end of programme assessments.

  • Helping supervise undergraduate, MSc, PhD students and staff.

  • Contributing to grant proposal development and writing to support the group’s mission.

  • Developing and maintaining documentation associated with the health, safety, and biosecurity of the research to preserve a safe working environment.

  • Assist with lab management (ordering, looking after equipment, sample inventories)

  • Perform outreach duties.

This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of The Pirbright Institute.

Essential/Desirable requirements

Essential

  • A PhD or equivalent in a relevant branch of biosciences.
  • Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with funding bodies, peer-review groups, government agencies.
  • An ability to prioritise tasks effectively while under pressure.
  • A willingness to work outside normal working hours and to undertake travel worldwide.
  • Experience in influenza virological techniques including virus propagation and quantification, microneutralisation and haemagglutination inhibition assays.
  • Experience in immunology including flow cytometry, analysis of cellular and humoral responses, ELISPOT, proliferation assays, ELISA, cell sorting.
  • Evidence of building collaborative relationships.

Desirable

  • Experience of flow cytometry and other immunological or molecular biology techniques.
  • Experience of working in a laboratory environment.
  • Evidence of networking skills with the ability to build effective collaborative relationships.
  • Computer literate, good knowledge of computer programs and experience in data presentation.
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