POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN ARBOVIROLOGY

at  University of Liverpool

We are looking to recruit an arbovirology PDRA to work with Dr Marcus Blagrove and Professor Matthew Baylis on the UKRI/DEFRA funded project titled: “Culex distribution, vector competence and threat of transmission of arboviruses to humans and animals in the UK”. Your main responsibilities will include collecting wild UK immature mosquitoes from the field and maintain them as well as colonies of temperate mosquitoes. Collecting adult UK mosquitoes and determine the host they blood-fed from using PCR and sequencing. Collect water samples from wild larval rearing sites across the UK.
You will also challenge wild-collected and colony mosquitoes with Usutu virus (USUV) using spiked blood and determine whether mosquitoes can successfully transmit USUV at a range of UK temperatures. You will be expected to provide a presentation of your results and write manuscripts for peer-review and publication.
You will also be required to do any additional training and laboratory-running and administrative roles as required.
You will be working in an area where there may be a risk of infection, although appropriate measures will be in place to control the risk. You may be offered appropriate immunisations and/or records of your work with infectious material/infectious micro-organisms may be kept. Appointment will be subject to a risk assessment by the University’s Safety Advisor’s Office.
You will be required to handle pathogens or potentially infected specimens of unfixed human/animal tissue (including blood), although appropriate measures will be in place to control the risk. You may be offered appropriate immunisations and/or records of your work with infectious material/infectious micro-organisms may be kept. You will be advised in your offer letter to contact the occupational Health Department to check on your vaccination status.
Any applicants who are still awaiting their PhD to be awarded should be aware that if successful, they will be appointed at grade 6, spine point 30. Upon written confirmation that they have been successful in being awarded their PhD, they will be moved onto grade 7, spine point 31 from the date of their award
The post is available for 22 months starting 1 June 2024 (negotiable).
Interviews scheduled for 22 and/or 23 May 2024.
The University has the right to close the vacancy early if it is deemed that there have been enough applications receive

Please refer the Job description for details