Research Associate in Molecular Virology

Location: South Kensington campus

About the role:

We are looking for a motivated postdoctoral research associate with molecular virology skills to join our team (www.imperial.ac.uk/barclay-lab). Our mission is to define how viruses cross species barriers and evolve to infect humans. We are using influenza viruses as models to understand the crucial steps for pandemicity. In this job you will focus on the early events inside the cell that underpin the virus’ ability to replicate in their new host.

What you would be doing:

You will be validating the roles of a series of novel host factors we have discovered to be associated with the influenza A virus polymerase as it carries out different functions inside the host cell nucleus. You will do this through a combination of bioinformatics and molecular virology techniques. This will involve knocking down expression of the factors and assessing virus replication, looking for in situ colocalization of the factors with viral polymerase, and by comparing the interaction of the factors with viral ribonucleoproteins assembled from positive or negative sense viral RNA.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for a team member who has previously worked with viruses in mammalian cell systems. It will be great for our team if you can bring in more experience in genetically manipulating cells with CRISPR, generating and/or working with primary cell systems, and/or handling large data sets. We are keen to bring on board someone with experience in using AlphaFold and other bioinformatics packages to apply to our sets of host factors.

What we can offer you:

• Be part of a diverse team who work together on one of today’s big challenges and support each other to advance our knowledge and careers.
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• As a member of research staff you have 10 development days to use to develop your skills and explore your career prospects.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further information

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have not yet been officially awarded will be appointed as a Research Assistant.

Time (35 h/w) post and a fixed-term contract for 24 months.

Expected start date January 1st 2027.

The Barclay lab team consists of 6 postdoctoral associates, three technicians and a lab manager. Everyone in the group works on respiratory viruses with pandemic potential, and our work spans from discovery of host factors that affect the outcome of infection, through using complex models of airway to recapitulate the challenging environments these viruses must negotiate, to designing new vaccines and testing mitigations to block infection and transmission.

For further details please contact: Wendy Barclay w.barclay@imperial.ac.uk

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