Post-Doctoral Research Associate (92238) in Liverpool

Full‑time, fixed‑term appointment for 19 months, based in Liverpool with international travel. We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Vector Biology Department at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). The project will investigate the functional genetics of insecticide resistance in Anopheles mosquitoes, focusing on the role of copy number variation (CNV) in the gene Cyp9k1. The successful candidate will combine fieldwork in Western Kenya with insectary bioassays, long‑read sequencing, and CRISPR‑based genome editing. By inserting and removing CNVs, the project will directly test their contribution to resistance across a range of insecticides. The post is based in Liverpool, UK, with required travel to Kenya. The role will involve field sampling, laboratory experiments, genomic analysis, and contribution to publications.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish a colony from wild‑caught mosquitoes in Western Kenya that carry the CNV in Cyp9k1.
• Collect mosquitoes that carry the CNV and establish a stable colony.
• Enrich the colony for the CNV to ensure it is at high frequency.
• Transfer the colony to LSTM and establish it in the insectaries there.
• Manipulate the presence of the Cyp9k1 CNV: (i) remove the CNV from the wild colony; (ii) insert the CNV into an insecticide‑susceptible laboratory colony.
• Measure resistance of these colonies to insecticides.
• Develop novel projects and contribute to the production and dissemination of research outputs.
• Generate ideas and data to support new project applications.
• Actively participate in the writing of research grants/fellowships in collaboration with PIs.
• Contribute to peer‑reviewed research publications and scientific reports for donors.
• Disseminate findings through publications and conferences, as relevant to the research.

Ideal Candidate

• PhD in Biology, Epidemiology, Bioinformatics or Genomics.
• Significant experience in molecular biology.
• Well‑developed research skills with the ability to present research findings in oral or written format.
• Evidence of preparing publications for specialist/general science journals.
• Experience with CRISPR, particularly in insects (desirable).
• Experience of field work, particularly with mosquitoes (desirable).

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, plus Christmas closure days.
• Generous occupational pension schemes.
• Government backed “cycle to work” scheme.
• Affiliated, discounted staff membership to the University of Liverpool Sports Centre.
• Range of additional family‑friendly policies.

Equal Opportunities

Inclusion is central to our values at LSTM. We seek to attract and recruit people who reflect the diversity across our communities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, nationality, faith or belief, social background, age and disability. LSTM selects candidates based on skills, qualifications, and experience. We welcome conversations about flexible working and applications from those returning to employment after a break from their careers. LSTM is committed to upholding freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law for all its members. Candidates will not be disadvantaged or adversely impacted for exercising their free speech within the law during our recruitment processes.