The role
The main role for the successful candidate is to undertake research into microbial pathogens. There are two main foci: the first will be to apply a test to environmental sample to detect Mycobacterum bovis DNA. There is some basic administration associated with this work where sample packs are sent out to stakeholders and results of the tests carefully compiled and reported to the stakeholder.
The second focus is working within the team on a large collection of clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates where we are applying a pheno-genotyping approach to help us understand the most important features that lead to death of infected patients.
The role is approximately 80% laboratory based with some admin for the remainder of the time.
What will you be doing?
This is fundamentally a molecular microbiology project.
Alongside a lab technician you will be organising and running an environmental sample collection and testing project where we are overarching goal is to help farmers, vets and wildlife trusts address the problem bovine TB represents. The test involves genomic DNA extraction and qPCR.
For the other project, you will be working within a large team to characterise the virulence of a collection of S. aureus bacteraemia isolates. The exact methodology will vary depending on the virulence phenotype being quantified.
You should apply if
You have an interest in microbial pathogens, are well-organised, self-motivated and with good molecular biology experience.