Research Assistant (90496)

Research Assistant (90496)

Reference: OCT20253255

Location: Liverpool

Duration: Fixed-term appointment to 31st March 2027

The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is recruiting a Research Assistant to support a major initiative within the Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON), a >£200million collaborative programme accelerating the development of new anti-infectives, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

You will join the Tropical Disease Biology Department and contribute to a unique workpackage focused on assembling and screening a large environmental microbial isolate library. The primary aim is to discover novel antimicrobial compounds and other bioactive molecules with potential applications across sectors.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects within the antimicrobial, chemotherapy and resistance space including preparation and screening of an environmental microbial isolate library as part of iiCON.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and maintain adequate laboratory records of methods, sample details and results
• Responsible for day to day microbiology activities within the project portfolio, working independently as well as collaboratively and in accordance with laboratory procedures and protocols
• Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures and risk assessments
• Ensure laboratory space is kept clean and well supplied
• Maintain a safe working environment
• Organise and maintain stocks of laboratory reagents
• Organise and maintain stocks of microbial isolates
• Assist with supervising students and visitors to the lab
• Assist with the planning and organisation of resources for the smooth running of the laboratory, including overseeing the ordering of apparatus, equipment components and materials
• Expand our environmental isolate library
• Work with collaborators and stakeholders to ensure the maximum potential of the isolate library is released.
• Co-ordinate and participate in outreach activities within the aligned Swab and Send project.

Project Administration:

• Liaise with other project partners at LSTM and within the iiCON consortium to determine if synergistic expertise exists which could benefit individual projects
• Provide assistance to undergraduate and postgraduate project students where appropriate
• Assist in preparation of presentations and reports for the line manager and consortium partners, and the funder where appropriate
• Provide assistance and actively participate in the planning of group research activities and aligned projects.
• Provide informal mentoring to group members working on other projects.
• Maintain well written and accurate research notes detailing work undertaken

Ideal Candidate:

• MRes in microbiology
• Knowledge and wet lab training in bacteriology
• Knowledge of up-to-date molecular biology techniques
• A thorough understanding of microbial genetics
• Detailed knowledge of the antimicrobial chemotherapy and resistance space
• Relevant experience of working within a bacteriology research laboratory
• Hands on experience of general molecular biology techniques

Benefits:

• Generous occupational pension schemes
• Government backed “cycle to work” scheme.
• Affiliated, discounted staff membership to the University of Liverpool Sports Centre
• A range of additional family friendly policies

Application Process: To apply for the position please follow the apply link and upload your CV and covering letter.

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 actively promotes Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Policies