(Fixed Term)

Salary: £27,854-£36,298 pa

Reference: RI01485

Closing date: 19 August 2013

This is a 4 year post-doctoral research associate post based in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Cambridge University. The project is funded by a MRC Experimental Challenge Grant and involves a collaboration between Cambridge University (PI Prof Gordon Smith and co-PIs Profs Steve Charnock-Jones & Sharon Peacock), the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (co-PIs Dr Julian Parkhill & Prof Paul Kellam) and Prof Neil Sebire (UCH). It will involve analysis of samples of the placenta from complicated pregnancies and matched controls using next generation sequencing to detect the presence of microbial and viral nucleic acids. It will also involve analysis of matched serum samples for quantification of antibodies and levels of placentally-derived cytokines. Samples have been collected and archived through the Women's Health theme of the NIHR Cambridge Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre: see http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/8/51 for study design. Samples are available from a cohort of ~4,500 women.

The project will involve a range of laboratory methods, including molecular analysis of microbial and viral nucleic acids, serology, ELISAs, immunohistochemistry and stereology. A full time technician will work in support of the project. There will be close collaboration with a second RA working at the Sanger Institute, focusing on bioinformatics analyses.          

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4 years in the first instance.

The deadline for applications is 4pm on Monday 19th August 2013. Shortlisted candidates will interviewed on 30th August 2013.

This appointment is subject to a health assessment. Whether an outcome is satisfactory will be determined by the University.

Please quote reference RI01485 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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