Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term)

An exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Associate has emerged within the Department of Pathology's **Ferguson Laboratory**. The successful applicant will join a **three-year research project**, defining cellular and molecular details of how viruses are detected by the human innate immune system. You will be primarily working in the lab of **Dr Brian Ferguson** whilst also working in collaboration with structural biologists in the Chaplin Lab (University of Leicester) and clinical researchers in the Thomas Lab (CIITID, Cambridge). We provide a supportive research environment that focuses on research excellence, integrity, and respect.

Further information about the **Ferguson Lab** is available here: www.fergusonlab.path.cam.ac.uk

**Role Overview**

The successful applicant will use cellular, molecular and biochemical tools to understand how DNA viruses are sensed by the innate immune system. We are particularly interested in defining how the DNA repair machinery interfaces with viral nucleic acid sensing and how DNA viruses combat these processes using immunomodulatory proteins.

Key focuses of the project will be in determining the molecular complexes that are formed during infection and DNA damage, which are responsible for initiating an antiviral response. This project also aims as to understand how different DNA virus families counter these host innate immune sensing mechanisms. Approaches taken to answer these questions will include CRISPR engineering of mammalian cells, proteomics, transcriptomics, virus engineering and defining intracellular signalling mechanisms following receptor stimulation and/or infection.

**Key Responsibilities**

*Production and analysis of recombinant DNA viruses

*Development of engineered cell lines for signalling complex analysis

*Investigation of cell signalling processes

*Analysis of proteomic and transcriptomic datasets

*Driving collaborations with collaborative (structural and clinical) labs

*High quality record keeping

*Presentation of data at local and international meetings

The successful candidate **must have (or be close to submitting) a PhD** in Virology, Immunology or Cell Signalling. Those who have not yet submitted would be appointed at Research Assistant level, which would be amended to Research Associate upon submission. The successful applicant will also be proficient in cell biology or molecular virology (please check **Further particulars** document attached).

Ideally, successful applicant will have an interest in innate immunity, experience in proteomics, have experience with CRISPR engineering of mammalian cells and/or have specific experience with poxviruses or adenoviruses.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for **3 years in the first instance**.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

Any informal queries regarding this position should be directed to Dr Brian Ferguson : bf234@cam.ac.uk

Queries regarding the application process should be directed to Miss Ellie Watson: ew649@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PK45022 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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