Research AssistantAssociate in Molecular Parasitology

Salary :

Research Assistant : 33002 to 34610 per annum

Research Associate : 35608 to 46049 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date : 18 December 2025

The Role

We are recruiting a motivated and experienced Research Assistant / Associate with expertise in protozoan parasite transmission and molecular biology to join an exciting new Medical Research Council-funded project.

The project is focused on uncovering the environmental triggers and molecular signalling mechanisms by which trypanosome parasites proliferate and pause proliferation across the complete life cycle using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Your project will be focused on applying protein degradation RNAi and CRISPR / Cas9 genetic manipulation techniques to uncover critical signalling pathway components linking environmental signals to cell cycle regulation in Trypanosoma brucei . Once generated mutant cell lines will be initially studied with microscopy and flow cytometry methods.

In addition the project involves strong collaborative elements to carry out in vivo studies to understand Trypanosoma brucei proliferation dynamics in both murine models and in tsetse flies. These experiments will be carried out at the University of Edinburgh and the Institut Pasteur where you will work with local research groups providing excellent training and networking opportunities.

In Newcastle you will join a research group working with Trypanosoma and Leishmania species to understand critical cell division cycle regulation in these parasites and linking these to parasite transmission and infection dynamics. Here you will have access to the state-of-the-art Bioimaging and Flow Cytometry units all housed within the diverse Faculty of Medical Sciences. Within the Faculty you will join the Biosciences Institute a cross-theme research institute with strong expertise in both cell cycle and infection biology.

In this role you will expand your modern molecular lab-based cell culture genetic modification and in vivo skills. You will be responsible for driving this collaborative study positively engaging with other group members and collaborators contributing ideas and troubleshooting. You will have excellent opportunity to work with a broad range of researchers in both Newcastle and internationally.

For more information see post is fixed term for a period of 3 years and it available to start immediately.

For informal enquiries contact :

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here : out more about our Research Institutes here : part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities

• Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator the postholder will contribute ideas including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies thus providing substantial added value
• Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research with advice and support where required
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
• Begin to write with appropriate support proposals for individual research funding or where funders do not permit this contribute to the writing of collective bids
• Assess research findings for the need / scope for further investigations
• Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
• Present research findings either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
• May be involved in the supervision with guidance of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants
• Will need to work with the support staff and on occasions with undergraduate and postgraduate students and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute.
• May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science / social sciences / humanities
• Develop an awareness of University structures policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education research social and political environment
• To develop and perform fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry assays with high research integrity to test for extracellular and intracellular signals that may or may not impact the cell division of trypanosome parasites and signalling components linking signal to cell division responses taking initiative and contributing ideas.
• Collaborative work with external partners to explore tissue niches where trypanosome parasites proliferate and / or arrest linking findings to in vitro work.
• To communicate findings and developments to colleagues and the wider research community both nationally and internationally and write associated research articles.
• Contribute to the organisation supervision mentoring and training of undergraduate and / or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
• Contribute to the shared administrative and lab management tasks related to the activities of the research group such as making stocks and record keeping.

The Person

Knowledge Skills and Experience

Desirable

Attributes and Behaviour

Desirable

Qualifications

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a gold Athena Swanaward in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID : 28742

Required Experience :

IC

Key Skills

Laboratory Experience,ELISA,Immunoassays,Mammalian Cell Culture,Biochemistry,Cell Biology,Research Experience,Cell Culture,Molecular Biology,Microscopy,Research Laboratory Experience,Western Blot

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Yearly Salary Salary : 33002 - 34610