Senior Research Assistant - Bacteriology

About the role

NHG is looking for a motivated and skilled Senior Research Assistant to join its Infectious Disease Research Laboratory. The ideal candidate has a strong background in bacteriology, excellent laboratory skills and can work both independently and collaboratively on research projects.

Key responsibilities

• Assist in designing, running and analysing bacteriology-related research.
• Prepare, handle and process clinical samples.
• Perform advanced microbial techniques: aerobic and anaerobic cultures, isolation and identification of bacterial strains by colony morphology and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and use of selective and differential media.
• Carry out Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) by disk diffusion, broth microdilution and E-test, and interpret antibiotic susceptibility profiles.
• Run broth dilution tests and evaluate minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC).
• Design and run molecular assays including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, gel electrophoresis and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS).
• Help analyse and manage data, prepare reports and publications.
• Help develop, implement and revise standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
• Help plan study logistics, workflows and documentation, and liaise with internal and external parties.
• Support ongoing projects with researchers and team members, train and mentor junior assistants and interns, and help maintain the laboratory.

Required profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Microbiology, Bacteriology or a related field.
• At least 3-5 years of laboratory experience in bacteriology or microbiology clinical research.
• Experience with common hospital bacteria such as MRSA, C. diff, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella, Enterococcus and Acinetobacter baumannii.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, good organisation and communication skills, and ability to work independently and in a team.

Required skills

• Proficiency in bacteriology techniques: culture, identification, AST and broth dilution.
• Hands-on experience with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry preferred.
• Familiarity with whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics tools.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).