Research Associate in Streptococcal Vaccinology

Location: Hammersmith and South Kensington 

Job Summary 

A postdoctoral position funded by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is available for immediate start, to join an exciting programme of work to apply saRNA vaccine technology to bacterial disease.

The specific challenge is to identify novel combinations of antigens that will combat the major human bacterial pathogen, group A streptococcus (GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes) which causes a huge burden of disease globally, yet, despite over a century of research, there is to date no vaccine in clinical use. In response to this burden the World Health Organization has identified group A streptococcal vaccines as a priority research area. 

The 2022/23 upsurge in invasive group A streptococcus infections in the United Kingdom and associated antibiotic shortages, serve as a reminder that there is no vaccine for this infection, and that the disease burden affects both low, middle and high income countries. Indeed, this year group A streptococcus was included on the WHO list of priority pathogens posing a threat to human health.

Duties and responsibilities 

• Lead on evaluation of saRNA targets identified through ongoing and previous immunoproteomic studies and evaluate combinations of saRNA vaccine constructs in models of infection.
• Developing a close working relationship with staff from Professor Shattock’s laboratory (currently based at St. Mary’s campus but moving to South Kensington) who are pioneering use of saRNA vaccines.
• Supervision of students, in particular, day to day supervision of a PhD student linked to the project, in addition to Masters and BSc students.
• Acquire knowledge and skills associated with saRNA technology and techniques to evaluate antigen expression, as well to investigate the eventual impact of these vaccines on immune responses and protection from group A streptococcal infection.
• Develop independent research questions to pursue linked to this work as the project progresses.
• As the group A streptococcal vaccine research area is rapidly expanding, there is a high likelihood of collaborations developing with other projects; we hope you will be keen to support public engagement efforts and to support visiting researchers, and become an active member of Imperial’s Vaccine network and the Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology. 

Essential requirements

• PhD in a relevant area
• Expertise in molecular biology and cell culture
• Expertise in Immunology and Infection
• Experimental preclinical model experience and Home Office License
• Attention to detail in record keeping

For full list of Duties, Responsibilities and Essential Requirements please see the Job Description

Further Information

This post is fulltime, fixed term for 13 months with possibility to extend based at Hammersmith and South Kensington Campus.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £41,694 - £44,888 per annum.

For further information about the post please contact Prof Sriskandan, s.sriskandan@imperial.ac.uk

For technical issues when applying online please email sjobs@ic.ac.uk 

Please complete an online application to be considered.

Closing date: 01/08/2024

Apply online via the above ‘Apply’ button.

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