Research Fellow / Postdoctoral Research Associate

Role Description

Department

Our lab aims to use insect synthetic biology to develop new, safe, sustainable methods for reducing the harm caused by pest insects. We have several potential vacancies for projects in this area, for all grades from new graduate to senior postdoc. We are particularly keen to recruit postdocs with the experience, scientific flair and management ability to direct a project team, ideal for an ambitious researcher looking for the next step towards an independent position, or a senior postdoc looking for more responsibility without yet wishing to be a group leader.

The present position is for a Research Fellow (Grade7), or Postdoctoral Research Associate (Grade6), depending on skills and experience, on a new BBSRC-funded project to develop piRNA-based antiviral effects in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Informal enquiries regarding this, or other projects/positions in the lab to Prof Luke Alphey (luke.alphey@york.ac.uk). 

piRNAs are short (26-31nt) non-coding RNAs, long-known to silence transposable elements; more recently additional functions have been discovered. One is an anti-viral effect: following infection of Aedes aegypti by some RNA viruses, cDNA fragments of the virus are generated and from these virus-inhibitory v-siRNAs/v-piRNAs. 

Preliminary data indicate that we can manipulate the piRNA pathway to provide strong resistance to some viruses in Aedes aegypti. This project is primarily applied, to develop transgenic mosquitoes unable to transmit a range of severe human pathogens, but also to understand the range of viruses susceptible to this approach, and the basis for this.

Nominal start date is on/before 19 March 2026, but potentially negotiable. This is a full-time (37 hours per week) position for a fixed term of up to 3 years.

Role

The post-holder will join a larger team developing virus-refractory Aedes aegypti through various molecular mechanisms (see and https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02.06.527261 and https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2303080120 for other examples). The core of the project is to develop and test novel piRNA-based systems for suppressing arbovirus infections in Aedes aegypti.  Correspondingly, the main component of the role is insect genetic studies (responsible for design and development of new transgenic/gene edited strains, rearing and colony maintenance, phenotypic analysis, experimental design and statistical analysis) and virology (vector-virus interactions, and associated virus propagation, analysis etc). Additional responsibilities include molecular biology (assisting with design and 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

• PhD in a relevant biological science, or equivalent
• Knowledge of relevant research techniques and methodologies.
• Good communication skills, ability to write up research work for publication in high profile journals
• Virology experience at least BSL-2, preferably with arboviruses.
• Experience of development and analysis of transgenic insects (Grade 6, preferred; Grade 7, essential)

Interview date: To be confirmed

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

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