Specialist Virology Researcher
In the Crick's Covid Surveillance Unit.
Key information
Job title:
Specialist Virology Researcher x2
Reports to:
Crick Covid Surveillance Unit Manager
Contact term:
There are 2 full-time, fixed term (3 year) positions on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
OVERVIEW
Over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Francis Crick Institute developed a range of COVID-19 research platforms, including a unique high throughput live virus assay platform to quantify neutralising antibody activity against a range of SARS-CoV-2 variants in thousands of samples simultaneously. In collaboration with both clinical researchers and the Worldwide Influenza Centre (WIC) based at the Crick, we have used our microneutralisation platform to show at large scale how immunity to COVID-19 following vaccination and infection differs between healthy adults and clinically vulnerable patients (see references). The Francis Crick COVID Surveillance Unit (CSU) was created in 2021 to run and improve upon this high-throughput live-virus assay pipeline. Our team collaborates widely with many internal and external research projects by providing input, expertise, and high-quality data that has contributed to numerous publications and importantly to public health policy decisions. We are constantly adapting our work to the pandemic, and are currently expanding to develop new assays, as well as improve upon the current assay pipeline to deliver novel virological and immunological research at the Francis Crick.
The CSU continues to work closely with the WIC, which is one of six centres in the world responsible for analysing influenza viruses circulating in the human population, overseen by the World Health Organisation (WHO). One of the key development projects currently undertaken by the CSU in association with the WIC is the creation of a high-throughput influenza neutralisation assay. This important work will underpin our work on understanding how SARS-CoV-2 interact with seasonal influenza in both healthy adults and clinically vulnerable patients.
PROJECT SUMMARY
We are seeking to appoint talented, collaborative, and self-motivated scientists to fill two full-time on-site laboratory positions within the CSU team. The team is responsible for running the current pipeline and you will either be capable of, or be willing to learn, all aspects of the pipeline to contribute to a dynamic and fluid team. Much of the necessary equipment is in place and the team has access to bioinformatics and IT support as well as access to all the other core facilities at the Crick. You will need to horizon scan in the development of future assay platforms by interacting with Crick researchers and maintain up to date knowledge of high-throughput technologies and machinery as well as virological and immunological techniques and advances. The important and time-sensitive requirements of the team’s activities mean that all team members must contribute and be capable of self-organising and solving problems in real time. Additionally, you will help to deliver the high-throughput influenza neutralisation assay pipeline. This is an opportunity to use your scientific and technical skills in a clinically vital enterprise and shape its development with your knowledge and expertise within one of the largest research institutes in Europe.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
These include but are not limited to;
Ensuring the smooth operation of the neutralisation assay pipeline by conducting assays to the highest standards, liaising with all interested parties and team members ensuring clear communication.
Managing workflow and ensuring neutralisation data is generated in a timely manner agreed with end users. The team must be adaptable and flexible in order to quickly adjust ongoing scheduled work to accommodate the unexpected.
Isolation, propagation and genetic/molecular characterisation of newly emerging and reference SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal influenza viruses
Developing and enforcing robust QC measures for the pipeline.
Improving the assay for throughput and data content.
Applying understanding of the assay pipeline to adapting and/or developing new high throughput virological and immunological assays.
Individuals of the team must be highly motivated to keep up to date with literature on emerging variants SARS-CoV-2 and to communicate with other technology platforms at the CRICK to develop a suite of tools in order to be ready for fast response to emerging questions.
Be prepared to contribute to dissemination of the technical experience gained both within the institute and wider scientific community.
Key experience and competencies
The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, open, and collegial, in addition to the following:
Essential
Extensive direct experience in cell-based assays, tissue culture, and immunofluorescence-staining techniques
Demonstrable experience of high containment (CL3+) work or previous experience in working with respiratory viruses
Previous direct experience of HT screening campaigns in either Pharma or academia
Experience with high throughput techniques and associated machinery particularly automated microscopes and HCA
Practical experience with a wide range of molecular and cell biology techniques
Excellent organisation and communication skills
Self-motivated and problem solving with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team toward a common goal
Excellent inter-personal skills and demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills
Desirable:
Post-doctoral research experience or extensive relevant experience in Pharma a distinct advantage
PhD in virology or immunology or high throughput screening
Demonstrable organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise own workload
Experience working in clinical research or working to GCP standards
Previous experience of service provision preferred
References
Carr et al. Neutralising antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination in UK haemodialysis patients. The Lancet. 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01854-7
Faulkner et al. Reduced antibody cross-reactivity following infection with B.1.1.7 than with parental SARS-CoV-2 strains. Elife. 2021;10.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34323691
Fendler et al. Functional antibody and T cell immunity following SARS-CoV-2 infection, including by variants of concern, in patients with cancer: the CAPTURE study. Nature Cancer. 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43018-021-00275-9
Fendler et al. Adaptive immunity and neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern following vaccination in patients with cancer: the CAPTURE study. Nature Cancer. 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43018-021-00274-w
Wall et al. AZD1222-induced neutralising antibody activity against SARS-CoV-2 Delta VOC. The Lancet. 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01462-8
Wall et al. Neutralising antibody activity against SARS-CoV-2 VOCs B.1.617.2 and B.1.351 by BNT162b2 vaccination. The Lancet. 2021.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673621012903
Wu et al. Three-dose vaccination elicits neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. The Lancet 2022.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00092-7
Carr et al. Neutralising antibodies against the Omicron variant after COVID-19 vaccination in UK haemodialysis patients. The Lancet 2022.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00104-0
Fendler et al. Neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron VOC are undetectable after third vaccination in a substantial proportion of patients with blood cancer: The CAPTURE Study. The Lancet 2022.
