Research Assistant

About us

Two Research Assistant positions are available at the Centre for Clinical Microbiology in the Division of Infection and Immunity. The Centre for Clinical Microbiology has an ongoing programme of research focused on investigating better treatments and methods of monitoring treatment of tuberculosis. The successful applicants will join the research team engaged in delivering projects supporting TB drug treatment trials and improved diagnostic methods. The post-holders will contribute to multi-centre clinical trials working towards registration of new treatment regimens for tuberculosis funded by the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development and Medecins sans Frontiers. In addition, they will be involved in a Becton Dickinson funded study to validate new drug susceptibility testing (DST) assays for commercial use; and provide laboratory support for clinical trials of new diagnostics for other infectious diseases.

About the role

The post-holders will be responsible for the delivery of the practical aspects of these studies, focused primarily on DST using a variety of methods. This requires performance of UCL laboratory activities to a standard commensurate with regulatory studies and in accordance with good clinical laboratory practice (GCLP).
The post holders will also be responsible for the accurate maintenance of records, writing of standard operating procedures (SOPs), data entry and quality assurance. As part of the Centre for Clinical Microbiology team the role also involves assisting with the day to day running of the laboratory. The post will involve working at BSL Containment Level 3, and compliance with H & S regulations is essential.

This is an excellent opportunity for early career scientists to gain experience in the microbiological tools required for TB drug development providing exposure to a diverse range of microbiological laboratory skills as well as insight to the regulatory environment of a drug development clinical trial.

These positions are funded for 1 year in the first instance.

About you

The successful candidates will have a BSc or MSc/MRes in a subject related to microbiology and must have practical experience of working within a microbiology laboratory either in a research or clinical/diagnostic setting. Experience of laboratory skills such as drug susceptibility testing, minimum inhibitory concentration testing, DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing is preferred. The work involves handling Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Containment Level 3 facilities, so the successful candidate must understand the principles of working with hazardous pathogens, with practical experience preferred.

Please apply by CV and covering letter. Your covering letter should address the person specification points in the job description and clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience meet each of the criteria.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.