Research Assistant (0.5 FTE

We are seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to work on the enteric pathogen Campylobacter jejuni; the leading bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis globally. This post aims to apply molecular and phenotypic methodologies to characterise the C. jejuni Type VI Secretion System (T6SS), a harpoon-like machine allows bacteria to fire damaging toxins, known as "effectors", into other bacteria and in human cells, allowing bacteria to cause disease. In several notorious enteric pathogens, the T6SS is an important virulence determinant that supports the survival and domination of host intestinal niches. The T6SS can also subvert host cell functions and promote immune evasion thus supporting bacterial pathogenesis. We will characterise the antibacterial and anti-host activities of the T6SS and selected effectors using in vitro and in vivo models, deletion mutants and complemented strains. Using a chicken infection model, we will determine the fitness advantage conferred by
the T6SS, during intra-species co-infection of C. jejuni. We will further our study by characterising the biochemical and structural features of the C. jejuni T6SS and effectors.
The post will be based at LSHTM with Dr Ozan Gundogdu and his team.

Candidates should have a postgraduate degree in a relevant biological science field. Experience in molecular epidemiological studies, including managing large datasets, is highly desirable. Relevant experience in host-pathogen interaction research, including in vitro tissue culture methods. Experience in molecular microbiology is essential, with proficiency in RNA isolation from bacterial, eukaryotic, and virus-infected cells, cDNA preparation, and PCR methods such as Real-time PCR and Digital PCR. Experience with Oxford Nanopore sequencing (MK1C) would be highly desirable. The applicant should also have experience with immunoassays, particularly Sandwich ELISA. The applicant should have expertise in a range of biochemical characterisation techniques, including bacterial isolation, Gram staining, and phenotypic assays. Further particulars are included in the job description.
The post is part-time, 0.5 FTE and fixed term until 29 February 2028. The post is funded by the BBSRC and is available from September 2025.

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of the world's leading public health universities. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice., The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We believe that when people feel respected and included, they can be more creative, successful, and happier at work. While we have more work to do, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace, a community that everyone feels a part of, which is safe, respectful, supportive and enables all to reach their full potential.
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The salary will be on the LSHTM salary scale, Grade 5 in the range £39,432 - £45,097 per annum pro rata (inclusive of London Weighting). The post will be subject to the LSHTM terms and conditions of service. Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year, pro rata for part time staff. In addition to this there are discretionary "Wellbeing Days". Membership of the Pension Scheme is available. The post is based in London at LSHTM.