Postdoctoral Research Assistant : Pirbright, United Kingdom

JOB TITLE: Postdoctoral Research Assistant – Picornavirus Molecular Biology
POST REF: 15P-73

The Pirbright Institute is a unique national centre that works through its highly innovative fundamental and applied bioscience to enhance the UK capability to contain, control, and eliminate viral diseases of animals and viruses that spread from animals to humans. We thereby support the competitiveness of UK livestock and poultry producers, and improve the health and quality of life of both animals and people.

The Pirbright Institute is currently situated on two campuses, Pirbright Laboratory in Surrey and Compton Laboratory in Berkshire. The process of transferring Compton Laboratory activities to Pirbright is underway.

LOCATION
This post is based at Pirbright.

PURPOSE 
This position is for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to work on a MRC funded research project “Picornavirus capsid protein VP4: Essential role in cell entry and conserved antiviral target”.

The picornaviruses are a family of viruses which includes human pathogens such as poliovirus (PV) and human rhinovirus (HRV) and the livestock pathogen foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). The picornavirus capsid protein VP4 is essential for entry into the host cell. VP4 is involved in membrane penetration, a process which is not well understood but which has potential as a target for preventing infection. The project will use virology, recombinant proteins, model membranes, biophysics and structural biology to provide a comprehensive understanding of VP4 structure & function during the infection process and will provide proof-of-principle for VP4 as an antiviral target for the future control of multiple human diseases caused by viruses of the picornavirus family.

ORGANISATION POSITION
The post holder will report to Dr Toby Tuthill (the Principle Investigator for this project) and will be part of the picornavirus research group at The Pirbright Institute.

Main duties and responsibilities

Responsible for conducting research to meet the objectives of the project:
· Carrying out laboratory work using cell culture, virology, molecular biology, recombinant proteins and model membranes.
· Reporting on progress internally in lab meetings. 
· Working with and training/assisting other researchers/students where required 
· Supporting other activities of the group as determined by the PI

This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Human Resources department and The Pirbright Institute.

All employees shall actively participate in the Institute-wide quality assurance system in conjunction with the Institute's Quality Manager. Employees are also expected to safeguard their own health and safety and security by following policies and all employees are responsible for the Health and Safety and security of staff under their management.

BENEFITS OF THE POST

The post is graded at a Band D and is a limited term contract with funding for 12 months. The salary is £32,300 to £34,929 depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full time role of 37 hour week, Monday to Friday.

Pension
Qualifying staff will automatically be enrolled into the Pirbright Institute Group Personal Pension Scheme (subject to age and earnings) which is administered by Aviva. This is a salary exchange scheme. Those staff who do not immediately qualify will be given an opportunity to opt into the scheme. Shortly after commencing employment members of staff that have been auto-enrolled will receive separate information outlining the options open to them and the scheme details. This will be sent from the pension provider. The Institute does not make contributions to other personal pension schemes.

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment plus 10.5 days public and privilege days. The Institute has a subsidised child care scheme, staff restaurant and free parking.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

· Any offer of employment will be subject to security screening, health clearance, receipt of satisfactory references, and continued right to work and remain in the UK.

· The Institute is engaged in Research work on a number of virus diseases of livestock, several of which are highly infectious to livestock, compliance with the Disease Security Regulations is an essential requirement of employment. Where disease agents of birds and other domestic animals are being studied specific restrictions to contact with these species may apply off site/ at home. Such restrictions will be applied on a case by case basis subject to on the individual's work portfolio and access to relevant facility areas. In case of poultry and horses it may require 3-5 days of no contact after handling/having contact with these pathogens and materials potentially carrying these agents.

· For those applicants where English is not their first language, please note that the successful applicant must be able to prove their ability to communicate in English. The required standard for the Pirbright Institute has been set as an overall mark of 7.0 in the IELTS qualification (with no lower than 7.0 for listening and reading, no lower than 6.5 for speaking and no lower than 6.0 for writing) or the equivalent in an alternative qualification

Closing date: 22 February 2016

Interview to be held on: TBC

HOW TO APPLY

It is an Institute policy to use a Pirbright Institute application form, please ensure that you complete this form as a CV alone will not be accepted.