Research Assistant/Post-Doctoral Research Associate (86657)

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Assistant or Post-Doctoral Research Associate to join the group of Dr Thomas Edwards within the Tropical Disease Biology Department, on an Academy of Medical Sciences funded project investigating the mechanisms behind an emerging antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotype in Escherichia coli.

The successful candidate will join collaborative research investigating the key factors that influence transposon mediated beta-lactamase gene amplification, which has been identified as a key driver of resistance to beta-lactamase inhibitor combination therapies.  The successful candidate will use a mixture of microbiological assays, cloning, qPCR, and whole genome sequencing in order to determine to what extent the organism sequence type, transposon type, or AMR gene impact the likelihood and extent of gene amplification whilst under selective pressure. This position includes a conference/training budget for the post holder.

Key publications from the group on this topic include:

• Fraser, A., Ball, R., Cantillon, D., Brettell, L., Graf, F., Lewis, J., van Aartsen, J., Parry, C. Heinz, E. Edwards, T. (2024). A high-resolution genomic and phenotypic analysis of resistance evolution of an Escherichia coli strain from a critical care patient treated with piperacillin/tazobactam.
• Edwards, T. Heinz, E., van Aartsen, J., Howard, A., Roberts, P., Corless, C., Fraser, A., Williams, C.T., Bulgasim, I., Cuevas, L.E., Parry, C.M., Roberts, A.P., Adams, E.R., Mason, J., Hubbard, A. (2022). Piperacillin/tazobactam resistant, cephalosporin susceptible Escherichia coli bloodstream infections driven by multiple resistance mechanisms across diverse sequence types. Microbial Genomics. 8:4
• Hubbard, A., Mason, J., Roberts, P., Parry, C., Corless, C., van Aartsen, J., Howard, A., Fraser, A., Adams, E., Roberts, A., Edwards, T. (2020). Within-patient evolution to piperacillin/tazobactam resistance in a clinical isolate of Escherichia coli due to IS26-mediated amplification of bla_TEM-1B. Nature Communications. 11:4915

Key responsibilities include:

• Generate full length transposons carrying AMR genes from clinical isolates of E. coli, using a Gibson Assembly approach
• Cloning transposons into competent lab strains of E. coli and clinical isolates
• Conducting broth microdilution MIC assays, and fitness assays
• Using qPCR to determine relative gene copy numbers
• Nanopore sequencing of selected isolates
• Liaising, working collaboratively with, and providing support to other members of the team and collaborators
• Leading on the data analysis, design, execution, and write-up of research projects for publication
• Developing appropriate Risk Assessments, SOPs and protocols to local and legal requirements
• Recording all experimental data generated promptly and accurately, in accordance with relevant standard operating procedures, policies, guidelines protocols and best practice

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• MSc in a relevant subject  
• PhD in a relevant subject (PDRA role)
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations
• Experience of microbiological techniques
• Experience in DNA cloning
• relevant experience of qPCR, sequencing library preparation, DNA extraction
• Knowledge of bacterial AMR mechanisms
• Experience on leading manuscript drafting for publication (PDRA)

(Full job description attached)

Informal enquiries can be made to:  thomas.edwards@lstmed.ac.uk

Closing Date:  18^th August 2024

Application Process: Click on the apply link and upload your CV and covering letter.

Due to the volume of applications, we receive, we may close our vacancies early.

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