Research Technician

Location: Kensington Campus

About the role:

As Research Technician to the STI-Microbiota group you will be supporting an ambitious programme of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) research that focuses on understanding the molecular epidemiology of this neglected common women’s health condition, biobanking of clinical vaginal bacterial isolates and supporting clinical trials of novel therapeutic strategies.

What you would be doing:

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to both important mechanistic and translational clinical research that aims to transform the landscape of BV treatment in the UK and beyond. The STI-Microbiota group are undertaking a seminal microbiota sub study of the largest BV treatment study (DEVA) to date comparing a novel antiseptic to several main standard of care antibiotics and hope to redefine outcome measures for BV Clinical trials. The post holder will initially be supporting this project and a BV antimicrobial resistance surveillance study (LOVAR).

What we are looking for:

The post holder will provide full laboratory management assistance to the STI-microbiota Group. They will provide a high standard of technical expertise and advice and be able to work independently.  The post holder will benefit from mentorship under the Principal Investigator Dr Charlotte-Eve Short and Imperial College’s wide career development opportunities including tailored specialist laboratory skill training, academic writing, teaching, and potential for undertaking further post-graduate qualifications.

• You will provide day-to-day coordination and running of the laboratory and its equipment.
• You will work at containment level 2 and 3
• You will receive, log and process clinical vaginal samples for storage and downstream analyses
• You will undertake molecular genomic techniques including DNA extraction, qPCR, and sequencing
• You will be proficient in anaerobic culture of clinical samples to isolate and propagate desired bacterial strains and develop frozen stocks
• You will develop new or improved methodologies and monitor technical standards
• You will be meticulous with recording keeping and maintaining research databases
• You will have excellent time management including planning and prioritising of experiments
• You will coordinate the purchase and invoicing of laboratory equipment and supplies

Essential requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biomedical science, or equivalent
• Excellent academic and practical knowledge of microbiology and molecular biology
• Proven experience working in containment level 2 laboratory
• Excellent laboratory skills with ability to independently conduct some/all of the following techniques:
• Human sample processing
• Working with Category II pathogens
• PCR and other molecular techniques
• Bacterial culture
• ELISA
• Flow cytometry
• Good Knowledge of general laboratory practice, techniques, and instrumentation
• A meticulous approach to laboratory work with a high degree of accuracy
• Strict regard for confidentiality, GCP, safe laboratory practice and security

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.

Further Information

This is full time and a fixed term (3 years) based in our South Kensington Campus.

If you require any further details about the role, please contact:

Dr Charlotte-Eve Short- cshort@ic.ac.uk.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.

Advert information