Senior Postdoctoral Scientist

Title: 
Senior Postdoctoral Scientist

The Pirbright Institute delivers world-leading research to understand, predict, detect and respond to viral disease outbreaks. We study viruses of livestock that are endemic and exotic to the UK, including zoonotic viruses, by using the most advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors. Our major strength in understanding the immune systems of livestock provides a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats.

Our Institute is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community of staff covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds and experience. We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute’s aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and contribution; with a real focus in improving the world in which we live. Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one Institute’ approach.

Organisation position and purpose

Ruminants produce methane through their digestion process, mainly enteric fermentation in their rumen, where methanogen organisms break down carbohydrates into gases like methane, which is released through belches and to a lesser extent through flatulence. The methane emissions from livestock, particularly cattle, significantly contribute to global warming.

This project aims to provide the functional proof of concept for a vaccine against methanogens in cattle, supporting targeted knowledge-based vaccine development and selection. To accomplish this we will apply existing techniques and pipelines, developed to characterise cattle antibody responses to vaccines, to generate, isolate, characterise, and engineer methanogen-specific antibodies.

The primary outcomes will be driven by characterising monoclonal cattle antibodies that bind methanogens.

These will allow us to:

  • Characterise the type of antibody response to methanogens that has an impact on methane production.
  • Determine which epitopes/types or combinations of antibodies are more likely to have an overall detrimental effect on methane growth.
  • Determine the mechanism(s) of action required for an effective antibody response in the rumen.

Together, this will allow us to establish the proof of concept for vaccine mediated reduction of methanogens.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Project Leadership:

  • Lead projects aimed at providing functional proof of concept for a vaccine against methanogens in cattle, overseeing all stages of project execution.
  • Take responsibility for project planning, resource allocation, and timeline management to ensure timely and successful project completion.

Experimental Design and Analysis:

  • Design, perform, and analyse experiments focused on generating, isolating, and characterizing methanogen-specific antibodies, while allocating time for personal experimentation.
  • Apply advanced analytical techniques to derive meaningful insights from experimental data and drive project progress.

Presentation and Communication:

  • Present research findings at both internal and external meetings, effectively communicating project progress, outcomes, and implications to stakeholders and collaborators.
  • Arrange and facilitate project meetings, fostering communication and collaboration among team members to achieve project objectives.

Line Management and Mentorship:

  • Manage a team of junior researchers, providing leadership, guidance, and mentorship in experimental techniques and project execution.
  • Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment to facilitate professional growth and development of team members.

Report Preparation:

  • Prepare comprehensive reports documenting experimental methodologies, results, interpretations, and implications for internal review and external dissemination.
  • Ensure accuracy, clarity, and coherence of reports to effectively communicate project findings to relevant audiences.

Assay Optimization:

  • Optimize assays for the characterization and modification of methanogen-specific antibodies, ensuring assay robustness, reliability, and reproducibility.
  • Troubleshoot assay protocols to address technical challenges and enhance assay performance as needed.

Continuous Learning and Development:

  • Stay abreast of the latest techniques, methodologies, and literature in vaccine development and antibody engineering, integrating new knowledge into project methodologies.
  • Continuously seek opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement to remain at the forefront of the field.

Due to the nature of the work we do, all successful applicants will be required to go through a comprehensive screening process including reference and qualification checks, financial and security clearances.

Essential/Desirable requirements

Essential

  • A PhD in a relevant branch of biosciences.
  • A broad understanding of immunology and antigen receptors.
  • Proven experience leading on large projects.
  • People management experience.
  • Proficiency in designing assays with a keen attention to detail, ensuring the inclusion of appropriate controls to validate experimental results.
  • Experience in next-generation sequencing, encompassing library preparation and quality control procedures.
  • Experience in flow cytometry acquisition, sorting, and analysis.

Desirable

  • Proficiency in protein-protein interaction analysis techniques such as Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) or Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR).
  • Familiarity with the 10X Genomics platform for high-throughput genomic analysis.

What we offer

  • Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings)
  • 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus 10.5 public and privilege days
  • Buy and sell annual leave
  • Option to carry over up to two weeks annual leave
  • Pirbright gym with subsidised membership
  • Pirbright social club
  • Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount site)
  • Cycle to work
  • Subsidised employee restaurant
  • Childcare allowance
  • Free onsite parking
  • Electric car charging facilities

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, if you have not heard from us within one month from closing date of the vacancy, then please contact us on jobs@pirbright.ac.uk for an update.

Reference: 
23P-153
Published: 
Mon, 18/03/2024
Applications end: 
Mon, 01/04/2024
Contract length: 
FTC until 31 March 2027
Salary: 
£45,000 - £46,000

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