The Rayner Laboratory at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research is recruiting a Research Associate to develop and apply a microfluidic device to study the invasion of human red blood cells by Plasmodium parasites. You will fabricate and test different device designs using soft lithography, load them with Plasmodium infected red blood cells, and use video microscopy to follow uninfected and infected red blood cells as they traverse through the microfluidic channels. You will then use tracking software to monitor the speed and behaviour of different cell types as they move through the channels, and will feed into the design and development of this custom software. This is a complex project involving skills in both biophysics and parasite biology, with very short delivery timelines.
The successful candidate therefore must have extensive hands-on experience in all the core techniques - designing, making and testing microfluidic devices using soft lithography, culturing Plasmodium parasites specifically in the UK regulatory environment, ie under derogated CL3 conditions, and analysing video microscopy data visually and computationally. Your primary focus will be on carrying out outstanding academic research leading to impactful papers, providing substantial scope for innovation, creativity and scientific judgement.
You will work as part of a vibrant interdisciplinary team and in close collaboration with partners and colleagues in the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research. You are expected to contribute to the collaborative team environment, supporting and training others where needed, and you will present your work at both internal and external academic events.
The Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR) is located on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and it is a collaborative institute at the interface between fundamental research and the clinic, with a mission to determine the molecular mechanisms of disease in order to advance human health.
The role is fixed term from 1st August 2024 - 30th November 2024.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 November 2024 in the first instance.
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Please quote reference SG41970 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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Further informationC.I.M.R. Clinical Biochemistry
Salary£29,605-£44,263
ReferenceSG41970
CategoryResearch
Published6 June 2024
Closing date20 June 2024