At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative research on next-gen vaccines and immunotherapies for infectious diseases.
- Company: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, a leader in tropical disease research.
- Benefits: 30 days annual leave, competitive salary, and opportunities for international travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in global health while working with cutting-edge science.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and experience in molecular biology and cell culture.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with mentorship opportunities and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Full-Time, Fixed-term appointment for up to 3 years. Location Liverpool with international travel.
The Tropical Disease Biology Department at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is seeking to appoint a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our interdisciplinary research team. The successful candidate will contribute to research focused on the development of next-generation vaccines and immunotherapies for emerging infectious diseases. The role involves leading strategies to enhance intramuscular delivery, integrating multidisciplinary approaches that bridge novel synthetic nucleic acid and protein design with pharmacokinetic analyses, potency assessment, and immune modulation. Applicants with experience in in vivo gene therapy and/or respiratory pathogens are encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities- Molecular design and cell biology
- Design and optimise synthetic nucleic acid constructs and proteins encoding monoclonal antibodies, vaccine immunogens, or other therapeutic proteins
- Molecular cloning, including optimising and validating a barcoding strategy to refine intracellular tracking
- Establish and maintain muscle cell cultures, optimise transfection methods, and apply advanced biochemical and imaging techniques to study protein–protein interactions and cellular processes associated with protein folding
- Preclinical potency and efficacy testing
- Implement small animal models to conduct pharmacokinetic, biodistribution, and infection studies
- Evaluate immunogenicity using cellular, virology, and molecular assays (e.g. ELISA, flow cytometry, ELISpot, virus neutralization assays)
- Optimise and refine muscle and lung tissue analysis (e.g. imaging, RNA-seq)
- Work closely with the team and collaborators to develop, optimise, and validate in silico and in vitro predictive models for in vivo delivery
- Troubleshoot and optimise experimental workflows
- Data analysis, dissemination, and management
- Maintain rigorous laboratory records, detailed documentation and data organisation
- Analyse experimental data using statistical and visualization tools (e.g., FlowJo, GraphPad, R/Python)
- Prepare project reports, presentations, manuscripts, and assist in preparation of funding applications
- Participate and engage with academic and industry partners to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration
- Mentorship and Training
- Mentor and train junior researchers, students, technicians, and visitors
- Foster a supportive and collaborative research environment
- Safety and compliance
- Maintain a safe and efficient laboratory environment, ensuring adherence to all institutional and regulatory safety protocols
- Conduct risk assessments and ensure compliance with biosafety and chemical safety regulations
- Compliance with laboratory rigour, standards, and licensing requirements for working with animals
- PhD/DPhil or equivalent degree in virology, immunology, and molecular biology, or a related discipline (or close to obtaining this)
- Experience maintaining stocks of mammalian cells
- Experience in general molecular biology techniques, cell biology
- A strong publication track record
- Hands-on expertise with in vitro cell-based assay development, flow cytometry, and primary immune cell assays
- Experience writing research papers and submitting to journals for publication
- Fundamental understanding of infectious diseases (viruses and/or bacteria) and immunology
- Experience handling and performing experiments with small animal models (desirable)
(For a full list of essential and desirable criteria please refer to the job description and person specification)
Contact and Additional Information Informal enquiries can be made to: Benefits 30 days annual leave, plus
Post-Doctoral Research Associate (91440) in Liverpool employer: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Contact Detail:
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Post-Doctoral Research Associate (91440) in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the field, attend relevant conferences, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your research experience. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence. Remember, it’s your chance to shine and show how you can contribute to the team!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. We suggest mentioning something specific from the interview to remind them of your conversation and reinforce your interest in the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing the role! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to us. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Post-Doctoral Research Associate (91440) in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight your experience in molecular biology and any relevant research projects. We want to see how your skills align with our focus on next-generation vaccines and immunotherapies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background fits. Share specific examples of your work in virology or immunology that demonstrate your expertise and enthusiasm for the field.
Showcase Your Research Experience: Don’t forget to include details about your publication track record and any hands-on experience with in vitro assays or animal models. We love seeing candidates who can back up their claims with solid research experience!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest developments in vaccine and immunotherapy research, especially related to emerging infectious diseases. Familiarise yourself with the specific methodologies mentioned in the job description, like molecular cloning and in vivo gene therapy, so you can discuss them confidently.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role involves working closely with a team and external partners. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated on research projects in the past. Highlight your experience mentoring others, as this will demonstrate your ability to foster a supportive research environment.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to be asked about specific techniques and tools relevant to the role, such as ELISA, flow cytometry, and data analysis software like R or Python. Brush up on these topics and think of scenarios where you’ve applied them in your previous work.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Science
Let your enthusiasm for tropical disease biology and immunology shine through during the interview. Share your motivations for pursuing this field and how you envision contributing to the team’s goals. A genuine passion can set you apart from other candidates.