Research Assistant Lab

Company Description

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Job Summary:

The Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases (IID) focuses on the biological, immunological, epidemiological and ecological aspects of viral, bacterial and protozoan diseases of animals and humans, including the vectors that transmit infectious agents. Research in the department's laboratories is primarily focused on diseases of developing countries.

Insects are a key gateway for spreading disease because of their ability to ferry pathogens from one host to another. These vectors represent important biological touch points, especially in malaria, and we are pursuing innovative research programs to illuminate their roles and identify strategies for future disease control. In Africa—where the majority of malaria deaths occur— the primary vector of disease is the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae.

The malaria parasite is transmitted through the bites of female mosquitoes, whose high reproductive capacity fuels malaria transmission. Therefore, targeting these insects (and the parasites they carry) holds great promise as a strategy for future disease control.

The successful candidate will support the research of the Department and of the Catterccia Laboratory, focusing on parasite‑vector interactions. The Research Assistant will study mosquito reproduction and its interaction with malaria parasite transmission, as well as help in the development and testing of new chemical interventions for parasite control in mosquitoes with the ultimate goal of developing innovative malaria control strategies.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Mosquito breeding (wild type and transgenic lines)
• Malaria parasite culturing, controlled mosquito infections and mosquito microdissection
• Routine molecular biological work such as isolation of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and quantitative real‑time polymerase chain reactions (qRT‑PCR)
• Other laboratory duties as assigned

Job‑Specific Responsibilities:

Although full training will be provided, some experience with mosquito breeding is desired, and general molecular biology techniques, parasite in‑vitro culturing, and microscopy are an advantage, as is general experience working with biosafety level 2+ pathogens. The successful candidate is required to interact and coordinate work with a large variety of other staff and researchers—including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and senior scientists—as needed for each responsibility.

The Research Assistant will also be willing to integrate into the team and uphold our research program for several years, contingent on funding availability.

The Research Assistant must be able to work part time in a facility with constant temperature of 80 °F and relative humidity of 70‑80%. Handling of human‑derived samples such as blood, as well as malaria parasites, is required in this position.

PLEASE NOTE:

This position has a term appointment of December 31, 2026 with the possibility for extension.

PLEASE NOTE:

The finalist will be required to pass an occupational health screening.

PLEASE NOTE:

Scheduling flexibility is needed on an occasional basis, such as extended shift…