COLLEGE OF MVLS
School of Infection and Immunity
Grade 7
Job Purpose
The successful candidate will join the School of Infection and Immunity at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) and will play a key role in a multidisciplinary research program focused on the development of next-generation diagnostic tools for viral infections, particularly using cutting-edge CRISPR technology. This project aims to establish rapid, scalable diagnostics for high-consequence infectious diseases, including Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF). Working under the guidance of Principal Investigator Professor Deborah Williamson and collaborators such as Professor Emma Thomson, the candidate will develop and optimise diagnostic assays and conduct field-testing in collaboration with international partners.
The candidate will have the opportunity to lead the development and validation of innovative diagnostics, integrating bioinformatic design of assays with advanced laboratory techniques for pathogen detection. Additionally, the candidate may have the opportunity to undertake field testing of assays in collaboration with international partners.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Lead the planning and execution of research projects focusing on the development of diagnostic tools for the detection of viral pathogens, including CRISPR-based assays.
2. Utilise bioinformatic pipelines for designing diagnostics assays.
3. Conduct laboratory experiments to optimise diagnostic assays, including work on clinical samples.
4. Collaborate with international partners to access clinical samples and conduct pilot field testing of diagnostic tools.
5. Establish and maintain a research profile and reputation, as well as that of the research team, by securing a track record of publications of international quality and contributing to the research impact in terms of economic and societal benefits.
6. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project and subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
7. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
8. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
9. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
10.Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the CVR.
11. Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
12. Generate, manage, document, maintain and store the data generated with the standards described in the project.
13. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the project, including Budgets/Expenditure/ordering, and contribute to laboratory management and general laboratory duties.
14. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
15. Contribute to the enhancement of the University's international profile in line with the University's strategic Plan, World Changers Together.
Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet the essential/desirable criteria. If you do not address each criterion in the format explained below you will not be shortlisted for interview.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential:
A1. Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in virology, molecular biology, bioinformatics or other relevant subject, or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).
A2. Extensive knowledge in molecular biology and / or virology.
A3. A strong background in viral genomics.
Desirable:
B1. Knowledge of pathogen diagnostics and experience in biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory conditions.
Skills
Essential:
C1. Good team leadership skills including demonstrable supervisory skills.
C2. Highly motivated, able to use initiative and quick to learn new techniques.
C3. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.
C4. Excellent interpersonal skills including reliability, team working and a collegiate approach. C5. Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentation and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely.
C6. Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills.
C7. Ability to design effective experiments.
C8. Excellent organisation and data management skills.
C9. IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.
C10. Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence, illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, the design and analysis of experiments and drafting of papers. C11 Creative, flexible and pragmatic approach to solving research problems.
Experience
Essential:
E1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field.
E2 Substantial experience in working with viral pathogens.
E3 Substantial experience in molecular biology techniques (e.g., nucleic acid extraction, RT, primer and probe design, qPCR).
E4 Experience working with cell culture.
E5 Experience in scientific writing, including research manuscripts or/and funding applications.
E6 Publications in appropriate-impact international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Desirable:
F1 Experience in working under BSL-3 conditions.
D1 Experience in working with clinical samples and conducting field-based research.
Additional Details
Informal enquiries may be directed to Professor Deborah Williamson ([email protected]).
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £40,247 - £45,163 per annum.
This post is full time, and has funding for up to 31/10/27 Hard End Date
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https: // www. gov.uk/skilled- worker-visa.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https: // www. gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Vacancy Ref : 158092 Close Date : 03-Dec-2024 23:45