Department

This is an exciting opportunity to join an ongoing project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop “local” gene drives in the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles stephensi. These are genetic methods to manipulate target pest populations in a controlled, safe, reversible way (see Alphey, Ann Rev Entomol 2014 59:205-224 for more background on gene drives and applied insect synthetic biology). The aim of the lab, and of this project, is to use insect synthetic biology to develop new, safe, sustainable methods for reducing the harm caused by pest insects, particularly mosquitoes and mosquito-borne disease. The aim of this project is to develop initial prototype strains and assess their performance in laboratory cage experiments.

The post arises following the move of Prof Alphey’s research group from The Pirbright Institute to the University of York in August 2022. Prior to that Prof Alphey led the world’s first releases of engineered mosquitoes while at Oxitec, a spin-out from the University of Oxford that he co-founded.

Being part of an ongoing project, start date is negotiable but potentially immediately after completion of the recruitment process; current funding for the project runs to end of August 2024. It is anticipated that additional roles with later start dates will become available, across a range of grades, for which informal enquiries may be made to luke.alphey@york.ac.uk.

Role

The core of the project is to develop and test components, modules and systems for ‘local’ gene drives in An. stephensi. Correspondingly, the main component of the role is insect genetic studies (development of new transgenic/gene edited strains, rearing and colony maintenance, phenotypic analysis, experimental design and statistical analysis). Additional responsibilities include some molecular biology (assisting with development of novel plasmids, preparing DNA for mosquito injections, molecular analysis of transgenic strains), communicating progress and data including assisting with manuscript preparation, and training/supervising other staff/students as required.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• HNC, HND, Degree, or equivalent experience in a relevant biological science

• Ability to perform complex technical tasks to a consistent high standard with attention to detail, conforming with relevant safety regulations and procedures

• Experience of working with insects

• Dependable, reliable and self-motivated; good interpersonal skills; able to work as part of a team

Interview date: to be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Prof Luke Alphey (luke.alphey@york.ac.uk)

Condition of employment

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.

Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork