Division of Epidemiology, Public Health and Primary Care                             

Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology      

Research Associate in Amphibian Immunology and Infectious Disease

£23,850 - £34,750

Imperial College is ranked in the top ten universities of the world, according to the 2006 Times Higher Education Supplement league tables.

We are seeking a Research Associate to work in the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology in the Division of Epidemiology, Public Health and Primary Care based at the St Mary’s campus, Paddington.

This is an exciting opportunity join a successful team working on the emergence of the global amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. The project will investigate the Xenopus tropicalis response to infection by determining  changes in gene-expression between uninfected and infected Xenopus. You will initially focus on whole-genome responses using microarrays. Subsequently, you will investigate specific host responses over the time-course of an infection by designing quantitative PCR assays and monitoring specific cell subsets using confocal microscopy These analyses will reveal, for the first time, the type and magnitude of the amphibian adaptive and innate response(s) to infection. Understanding these processes will allow us to further develop an experimental model within which we can investigate host-pathogen biology within a tractable system that has well-developed immunological and genetic-toolboxes. This will allow us to apply our research to vaccine development against B. dendrobatidis, an urgent goal given the global impact on biodiversity of this disease.

You will have an appropriate PhD in infection, cell or molecular biology. You will also have experience in immunology, gene expression and bioinformatics. Proven research skills and ability to collate and interpret data and present results to high standards are also essential.

This post is full-time and available for one year in the first instance.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr. Matthew Fisher (telephone 020 7594 3787 or email matthew.fisher@imperial.ac.uk).

To obtain an application form and further details go to www.imperial.ac.uk/employment. Alternatively write to the Recruitment Assistant, HR, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, St Mary’s campus, Medical School Building, London W2 1PG, quoting reference: SM067.