Research Assistant

Location: Old Road Campus Research Building, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ

Salary: Research Grade 6: Salary in range £34,982 - £40,855 per annum. This is inclusive of a pensionable Oxford University Weighting of £1,500 per year.

We are seeking to appoint a skilled Research Assistant to support the mRNA technology programme and the Pre-erythrocytic Malaria Group at the Jenner Institute. The position involves contributing to research focused on the development and assessment of multi-stage malaria vaccine candidates targeting Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. You will provide support in research design, methodological development, data analysis, and reporting of experimental findings.

Your primary role will be to assist in evaluating new target antigens as potential vaccine candidates for the Malaria Vaccine Programme, utilising some of the most advanced technologies in the following areas: immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology, proteomics, bioinformatics, and genomics, among other fields relevant to vaccine development.

You will be responsible for participating in research to identify, design, and evaluate new target antigens as vaccine candidates, contribute to vaccine development, including the generation and assessment of candidates using viral vector, mRNA, recombinant protein, or virus-like particle (VLP) platforms, while also supporting broader project planning and proposing new research directions, and determining appropriate methodologies to test hypotheses effectively. You will select, follow, and adapt experimental protocols as needed, collect, analyse, and present scientific data from various sources, and contribute to scientific reports and presentations for conferences and publications. You will also conduct high-quality research using techniques such as cell culture, protein expression, purification, and advanced microscopy (e.g., TEM, IFA, Western Blot, Fluorescence Microscopy), and assist senior researchers in related projects and collaborations.

It is essential that you have a degree in a relevant biological field (or equivalent), a strong interest in malaria and the immunology of infectious diseases, and proficiency in practical immunological assays, including ELISA, ELISpot, Flow Cytometry, and Immuno-Fluorescence Assay (IFA). You will be highly independent and detail-oriented, with strong technical skills, high-quality sample processing, and the ability to manage multiple projects efficiently, as well as excellent analytical and communication skills, with expertise in data interpretation, reporting, and scientific writing. Experience in preclinical work with high competence in animal welfare and handling techniques, different procedures and injection routes, PIL Licence and experience with basic microscopy techniques are highly desirable.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online (via the ‘Apply’ button above) and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract until 31 December 2026 and is funded by UltiMalVax Fund and Calleva Funds. Please note that Interview will be held on week commencing 14 March 2025.

Only applications received before 12 midday on Monday 7 April 2025 will be considered. Please quote 178320 on all correspondence.

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