Research Assistant/Associate

We have an opportunity for a Research Assistant/Associate to contribute to/make a leading contribution to a project ‘Investigating genetic composition of Onchocerca worm infections: Improving the ability to test macrofilaricidal drug efficacy’ working in Professor Poppy Lamberton’s groups, on a project with Dr Lisa Ranford-Cartwright, Dr Arne Jacobs, Prof. James Cotton, and Prof. Mike Barrett.

The successful candidate will perform DNA extraction and library preparation on microfilariae for whole-genome sequencing, sequence alignment, bioinformatics and statistical analyses. Using these data the candidate will infer sibling relationships between microfilariae to infer drug treatment efficacy of a new drug being trialled. We will use samples, from cattle and humans pre- and post-treatment. Samples from cattle skins will also be used for spatial analyses and parasite population structure.

The candidate will join a multidisciplinary research group which focuses on reducing transmission and improving treatment success for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), primarily onchocerciasis and schistosomiasis. There is also the potential for two additional years of funding on a schistosomiasis project using population genetics approaches to develop and validate a SNP panel for georeferencing and estimating transmission boundaries. We are committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

Applicants should have some specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of the production of WGS data, for example, molecular biology, including DNA extraction, PCR, library preparations for next generation sequencing. 

This position is available on a full-time basis and has funding until 30 September 2025 in the first instance, with the potential of two additional years on another project within the Lamberton Lab.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Poppy Lamberton, Poppy.Lamberton@glasgow.ac.uk

Closing Date:  27 August 2024

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/ 

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/

and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University

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