Job Description

The Malawi–Liverpool–Wellcome–Research Programme (MLW) is an internationally recognized centre for research and training, funded by the Wellcome Trust in collaboration with our key partners, the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KuHeS), Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and University of Liverpool (UoL) among others. We are committed to promoting research and training led by Malawian & International scientists, with the aim of improving the health of people in Malawi and elsewhere in the Region.

Our vision: To be Africa’s’ based beacon of excellence leading impactful research that drives innovation, policy and practice globally.

Our mission: To conduct high quality research and train the next generation of researchers and leaders to benefit health.

Job Purpose:

The Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) will provide scientific and operational leadership for the rotavirus and Shigella immunology components of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Health Professorship programme, Characterising the Aetiology and Host Immunity to Diarrhoeal Infections in Africa (CAHIDA). The postholder will lead and oversee immunological studies designed to define humoral, cellular and functional immune responses to rotavirus and Shigella infection and vaccination, and to identify immune signatures associated with protection, susceptibility and vaccine performance. The PDRA will work across clinical, laboratory and analytical teams at the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme (MLW), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), the University of Liverpool (UoL) and collaborating institutions. The role will combine laboratory immunology, immuno-epidemiology, data analysis, scientific leadership, supervision and capacity strengthening, with a strong expectation to generate high-quality publications and contribute to competitive grant applications.

Responsibilities

1. Working closely with the Principal Investigator and CAHIDA collaborators
2. Provide scientific leadership for the rotavirus and Shigella immunology studies within CAHIDA.
3. Design, optimise and implement studies investigating immune responses to natural infection and vaccination.
4. Characterise cellular, humoral, mucosal and functional immune responses using contemporary immunological approaches.
5. Lead multiparameter flow cytometry, Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) stimulation and immune-phenotyping studies.
6. Contribute to multiplex serology and functional antibody studies.
7. Contribute to B-cell and T-cell immunosequencing and immune repertoire studies.
8. Integrate immunological findings with clinical, epidemiological, vaccine and pathogen data to investigate mechanisms and correlates of protection.
9. Supervise and mentor students, research assistants and laboratory scientists.
10. Work with multidisciplinary collaborators in Malawi, the UK and internationally.
11. Lead high-quality publications and presentations arising from the work and develop new research questions and contribute to fellowship and grant applications arising from CAHIDA.

Requirements

• PhD in Immunology, Infection Biology, Vaccinology, Microbiology or a closely related discipline, normally obtained within the previous five years.
• Strong research training in cellular and/or humoral immunology.
• Postdoctoral research experience in infectious disease or vaccine immunology.
• Formal training or substantial practical experience in flow cytometry, immunoassays, immunosequencing/immune-repertoire analysis, or bioinformatics quantitative analysis.
• At least 2 years experience working on enteric infections, particularly rotavirus and/or Shigella, or other mucosal pathogens.
• Practical experience with multiparameter flow cytometry and/or cellular immunology techniques.
• At least 2 years experience with PBMCs isolation, cryopreservation, cell stimulation and immune phenotyping.
• At least 2 years experience with serological/immunoassay platforms; experience with multiplex assays and functional antibody assays is desirable.
• At least 2 years experience analysing data using R, Stata or equivalent statistical software.

Remuneration and Benefits

MLW offers a competitive remuneration package aligned with the responsibilities of each position. The package includes a medical aid scheme, 24-hour insurance cover, a pension scheme, and an annual gratuity benefit. In addition, employees have access to training, career development opportunities, and scholarship programmes, subject to performance and other applicable eligibility criteria.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae (CV), copies of relevant certificates, and the contact details of three traceable referees (including at least two professional referees) to vacancies@mlw.mw

All documents must be combined into a single PDF file and named using the format: Firstname_Surname_RoleApplied. The email subject line should read: Postdoctoral Research Associate – Global Health and Diarrhoea Disease Research Group.

MLW recognizes its responsibility in safeguarding and protecting communities, research participants and patients it works with. Successful candidates will be requested to undergo a safeguarding check prior to appointment and on regular basis throughout employment.

ONLY SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.