African swine fever (ASF), a devastating haemorrhagic disease of both domestic pigs and wild boar, continues to spread across the globe and it is now considered a panzootic. Modified live vaccines (MLV) are viewed as the fastest route to achieve protection against ASF. However, conventional continuous cells lines are not suitable for MLV production, as viral genome modifications can occur randomly in these cells, reducing vaccine efficacy. The project aims to further develop an immortalised macrophage cell line, PLTA58, that supports ASFV growth, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional cell lines.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The postholder will be responsible for the further optimisation of the PLTA58 cells to improve MLV yield and to establish in vitro methods to predict the safety of MLV candidates. The post would be an excellent opportunity for an early career scientist wishing to gain experience in cell biology and virology, particularly working under high containment. They will report to Dr. Anusyah Rathakrishnan, a postdoctoral scientist in the ASFV immune evasion group.

Responsible for Delivery of Scientific Objectives of the Research Project

• Optimize infection conditions for MLV production in PLTA58 cells
• Improve MLV yields using genetically modified PLTA58 cells.
• Characterise and compare changes in host proteins and phosphoproteins between wildtype ASFV and MLV candidate(s) in collaboration with the University of Plymouth
• Establish methods to predict safety of MLV candidate(s), using a range of reporter PLTA58 cells developed at the University of Plymouth

Responsible for Scientific Accountability

• Complete training required for working in high containment laboratories.
• Maintaining accurate records of experiments and results
• Present results to both internal and external audiences

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 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.

Specific Requirements

Essential

• A degree or equivalent in a relevant branch of bioscience
• Practical experience in maintaining cell cultures (from previous post or as part of degree project)
• Theoretical knowledge or practical experience of virology
• Capable of precise and careful work
• Computer literate
• A good team player with flexibility when required and an adaptive approach to work.

Desirable

• Experience of working in containment, particularly with viruses (CL2 or above)
• Background knowledge of African swine fever virus
• Experience in western blotting and qPCR techniques.
• Ability to occasionally work long hours, for example during time course experiments.

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

What We Offer

• Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings)
• 25 days annual leave plus public and privilege days, increasing up to 31 days with long service.
• Enhanced Maternity package.
• Buy and sell annual leave
• Option to carry over up to two weeks annual leave
• Pirbright gym with membership
• Pirbright social club
• Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount site)
• Cycle to work
• Subsidised staff restaurant
• Childcare allowance
• Free onsite parking
• Electric Car charging facilities

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Responsibilities may change to carry out other duties as may be reasonably required by the line manager and may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing need of The Pirbright Institute.

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