Research Assistant

**Job Purpose**:
As a highly skilled and experienced researcher, you will play a crucial role in contributing to conducting comprehensive research and analysis in the field of viral genomics and host transcriptomics. Your expertise in high-throughput sequencing, encompassing sample preparation and data analysis and interpretation, will be instrumental in uncovering intricate insights into the mechanisms of viral infections. By collaborating closely with other research teams, your mission will be to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in this specialized field, delivering sequencing data and integrating it with insightful analytical procedures.
Main

**Responsibilities**:

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal Investigator (PI):

1\. Assist in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables. This will include designing and performing relevant experiments to evaluate and implement high-throughput sequencing assays, with a focus on troubleshooting and improving sequencing protocols and their analysis.
2\. Create customised sequencing protocols, explore and implement bioinformatics tools to enhance viral genomics and transcriptomics research, and streamline sample-to-data processes.
4\. Present research findings effectively through preparation of graphical representations, tables and written reports**.**
5\. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including virologists, molecular biologists, computational biologists, and statisticians and participate in regular team meetings to discuss research progress, findings, and challenges.
6\. Actively participate in group meetings and share relevant developments with the team.
7\. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data and maintain records and databases, following data management guidelines in place.
8\. Draft technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
9\. Contribute to data management plans applied to this area of research.
10\. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the CVR, including establishing and sustaining a track record of joint publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
11\. Present work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
12\. Assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
13\. Support the development of collaborations with colleagues across the CVR and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners), providing technical advice and support, as appropriate.
14\. Contribute to widening the knowledge of the team and CVR colleagues through group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities.
15\. Participate in 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.
16\. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.
17\. Make a leading contribution to training activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated administration as assigned by the CVR Director and in consultation with the PI.
18\. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
19\. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the PI/CVR Director.
20\. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

**Qualifications**

**Essential**:
Or
Equivalent professional qualifications in a relevant academic/research discipline, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

**Desirable**:

B1 Working towards or completed a PhD in Molecular Biology or Virology.

**Knowledge and Skills**

**Essential**:

C1 Extensive and up-to-date theoretical and working knowledge in areas related to the field of research, namely high-throughput sequencing techniques and genomic data analysis.
C2 Demonstrable proficiency with technical software for next-generation sequencing data analysis.
C3 Demonstrable track record of creativity and innovation in hypothesis building, experimental design, and demonstration of an ability to troubleshoot in this area.
C4 Demonstrable proficiency in authoring and reviewing protocols and summary reports as well as the ability to document all work at a level of detail sufficient to reproduce experimental results.
C5 Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail.
C6 Excellent organizationa