Reference:   ITD-DIB-2024-19

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of the world’s leading public health universities. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

We are seeking to appoint two Research Assistants to work in our tuberculosis translational biology research team seeking to develop new antibiotics for treatment of tuberculosis. The project is funded by the Janssen Pharmaceutica and includes the development of new molecular biology tools dissecting biology of pathogen as well as regular bacteriology techniques used in the laboratory. 

The post holders will work in containment level 3 environment and will implement routine genetic tools including CRISPR-based knockdown and target overexpression as well as regular testing of new drug candidates in assays like MICs, MBCs and Kill kinetics assays. The post holders with also use existing or develop basic bacteriology and microbiology techniques to support evaluation of new drug targets for TB using chemical genomics and proteomics. 

The roles will involve working in a cross functional teams including industry partners and in an international research environment that provides an excellent academic as well as industry career opportunity for any enthusiastic and motivated scientist willing to learn the drug discovery process.

We are looking for candidates with a relevant first degree in biochemistry, microbiology, life sciences, or equivalent training. The ideal candidates will have relevant experience in genetic manipulation, susceptibility testing, bactericidal assays, and the development of resistance in bacteria ideally with experience of M. tuberculosis. Proficiency in molecular biology techniques, such as molecular cloning and preparing RNA/DNA, is essential. Experience working withM. tuberculosisin a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory is desirable with knowledge of MICs, MBCs, isolation of RNA/DNA and transfection of bacteria. The candidates must demonstrate good organisational skills, including effective time management, and have the proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a research team. Excellent interpersonal skills, including effective oral and written communication, are also essential. Further particulars are included in the job description.

The posts are full time, 35 hours per week, 1.0 FTE and fixed-term until 31 st January 2026 in the first instance. The post is funded by Janssen Pharmaceutica and is available from September 2024.

The salary will be on the Academic Pathway salary scale, Grade 5 in the range £38,282 - £43,947 per annum (inclusive of London Weighting). The post will be subject to the LSHTM terms and conditions of service. Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year, pro rata for part time staff. In addition to this there are discretionary “Wellbeing Days”. Membership of the Pension Scheme is available. The post is based in London at LSHTM.