Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

School of Health and Life Sciences

Paisley Campus

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (AC2)

Fish Immunology in Aquaculture

Full time, Fixed term (18 months)

Salary Scale £37,467 to £44,706

THE POST:

We are seeking a highly motivated Post-Doctoral Research Assistant (or equivalent) with relevant research / industry experience to work on a Seafood Innovation Fund (SIF) funded project in the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) to undertake original research on the development of Atlantic salmon specific immunology assays for use on high throughput automated instrumentation. The research will be carried out within the WellFish Diagnostics laboratory in the UWS in close collaboration with the project academic and industry partners. WellFish Diagnostics is a UWS spinout company with is cutting edge laboratory located on the Paisley campus.

This project builds upon a previous SIF feasibility study has identified four potential immune markers of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), with particular focus on the immunological response to the four most common pathogens occurring in the Scottish salmon industry. These biomarkers have been developed in plate-based ELISA format. Ultimately, we aim to transfer these existing biomarker assays to a high throughput turbidimetric immunoassay platform to differentiate specific pathogens based on the reaction of a suite of immunology biomarkers and shall separate out the infection-based responses from other potential stressors such as handling, nutrition and environmental factors. The project outputs include: (1) Development of immunoassay design for each of the four immune markers assays; (2) Assay optimisation with the aim of demonstrating acceptable assay performance and the basic reproducibility; (3) Assay validation using a performance verification programme across different automated instruments using health challenged and experimentally infected Atlantic salmon serum.

Key activities include:

• Take a leading, practical role in a 18-month SIF funded project on ‘Development of salmon specific, immunology assays for automated analysis’.
• Interaction will be needed with project participants from both academia and industry.
• Undertake laboratory-based work on the cross reactivity of several ELISA kits to test the immunological response of serum from Atlantic salmon (antibody parameter optimisation).
• Development and optimisation of turbidimetric assay design: Phase 1. Relocation for 3-4 months to work in the laboratory in England of our biotechnology industry partners on developing and optimising the first turbidimetric assay using a phased development approach.
• Undertake a phase 1 Design Review before moving onto the Performance verification programme (PVP): Phase 2. The majority of which will be conducted in the WellFish laboratory using the instruments housed there, under the remote supervision of our biotechnology industry partners.
• Once this has been undertaken for the first assay, the development and verification of the remaining 3 fish immune antibodies shall be undertaken in the WellFish Laboratory under the remote supervision of the biotechnology partners.
• To work with the project team to evaluate fish health and welfare (based on the integration of laboratory clinical chemistry and immunology biomarkers) in aquaculture reared fish resulting from various health challenges.
• Co-ordinate and manage data (including data quality, integrity and security) acquired by the project, staff and external partners.

The successful candidate should have the following:

• Educated to PhD level in a subject relevant to fish immunology, biotechnology, immunology, clinical pathology, health diagnostics or veterinary medicine with good laboratory skills.
• Worked/studied in areas related to immunology, biotechnology, diagnostics or biomedical research.
• Experience in laboratory techniques relevant to project (e.g. ELISA).
• Experience in the statistical analysis.
• Experience in assay design or development (optional)

About us:

The research will be carried out within the WellFish Diagnostics laboratory in the UWS in close collaboration with the project academic and industry partners. WellFish Diagnostics is a UWS spinout company with is cutting edge laboratory located on the Paisley campus. UWS was named Higher Educational Institution of the Year in The Herald Higher Education Awards 2022 and is officially ranked by Times Higher Education in the top 600 universities worldwide (2022 World University Rankings) as well as in the top 150 universities worldwide under 50 years old (2022 Young University Rankings). The position shall be supported by academics from the School of Health and Life Sciences.

For an informal discussion of the post please contact Prof Brian Quinn0141 848 3877brian.quinn@uws.ac.uk.

Further Information, including details of how to apply please visit at https://jobs.uws.ac.uk/

Closing Date: 10thMay

Interview Date: 15thMay

UWS is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups. UWS is a “Two Ticks” employer. University of the West of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no. SC002520.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 18 months

Salary: £37,467.00-£44,706.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

• Performance bonus

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Paisley: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• PhD (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 10/05/2023
Reference ID: WF Post Doc 1