Research Assistant in Dundee

This role may be appointed at a higher grade, depending on qualifications & education. A postdoctoral research position requires a recently successful completed PhD. An appointment may be considered if you are shortly expected to be awarded a PhD. In this case the initial appointment would be made as a Research Assistant on the Training Grade 7 salary scale.

Duration of employment: Fixed-term contract 1 year.

Role Purpose: We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant with a strong interest in host-virus immune interactions and experience working with viral infection models and the analysis of antiviral immune responses. You will join the Antigen Discovery Group, whose research aims to define the molecular mechanisms of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) processing and presentation and understand how these shape T cell recognition across infectious diseases, cancer and autoimmunity.

The successful candidate will play a central role in the laboratory, processing a wide range of biological samples using immunoprecipitation, chromatography, mass spectrometry and computational data analysis to characterise HLA-presented antigens. The position will contribute to several cutting-edge research programmes within the School of Life Sciences and offers opportunities to develop independent research interests alongside collaborative projects.

You will have a background in Virology or a related discipline, with substantial laboratory experience in viral infection models and immunological techniques. Experience in investigating antigen presentation, T cell responses, or immune recognition in infectious disease, or related fields would be highly advantageous.

The post is based within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, providing access to world-leading research facilities, including state-of-the-art mass spectrometry platforms. You will become part of a collaborative and internationally recognised team dedicated to understanding HLA biology and discovering clinically relevant antigens to enable the development of next generation immunotherapies.

• Manage the laboratory and ordering consumables required for experimental sample processing.
• Manage your own schedule in the laboratory including sample preparation and cell cultures.
• Lead advanced MS-related sample preparation and data analysis using existing software packages and integration of further analysis tools into existing pipelines available in the group.
• Oversee the generation of proteomic and immunopeptidome datasets from cells and primary mammalian tissue samples and apply scientific techniques and experimental protocols in the context of internal and external collaborations.
• Keep up to date with latest developments in the field including participation in national and international conferences.
• Support the writing of research reports and articles for publication in national and international peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and/or reviews.
• Keep accurate records of data and results and generate written reports.
• Agree clear task objectives and coach other members of the group on specialist methodologies or procedures.
• Participate in and support the public engagement and widening access activities of the Department and the University.
• Undertake mandatory training as required by the University, Division and Department.

The post holder will:

• Have a formal background in biomedical sciences and molecular virology, or related topic, with a focus on bench science.

Service Delivery: The postholder will contribute to several research project(s) and routinely receive input and guidance from their line manager.

Communication: Prepare draft research result reports and regularly communicate research findings (orally and written) to the scientific community. Effectively communicate with all members of the research group, division and wider School. Communicate effectively with Principal Investigator. The postholder will be expected to liaise with colleagues, internal services as required, professional service colleagues and external collaborators. Actively contribute to research group meetings.

Decision Making, Planning and Problem Solving: Keep up to date with scientific literature relevant to research project - utilising information to inform updates and advancements. Assist users to troubleshoot their sample preparations and proactively offer advice and support to solve problems. Actively contribute to group discussions to promote innovation and scientific discoveries, applying postholder's accumulated scientific knowledge. Be responsible for planning and prioritising own workload to meet required deadlines. Organise own workload according to priority and adapt as necessary. Setting of timelines for a variety of tasks to ensure their completion within expected deadlines and to high standards. Postholder is expected to on a day-to-day basis independently resolve most problems using accumulated knowledge and experience.

Team Development: Work as a collaborative team member of research group and a collegiate member of the wider School and University community. Perform other duties that might reasonably be requested from time to time. It is critical that the role holder recognises and respects the different cultures and backgrounds of staff across the University. We expect all our staff to take personal responsibility for equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in biomedical sciences, molecular biology or related discipline, with emphasis on molecular viral immunology, or a PhD in viral immunology (desirable).
• Experience with the preparation of LC-MS samples.
• Experience with the analysis of proteomics data.