Technician / Technical Specialist

Role Description

Department

This is an exciting opportunity to join an ongoing project funded by a UKRI-BBSRC Mission Award to develop engineered (gene editing, transgenesis) strains of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens BSF). BSF has increasingly been gaining attention because of its usefulness for recycling organic waste and as a low-carbon source of protein and lipids. However, the wildtype insects lack some desirable characteristics; adjusting their genetics (gene editing or transgenesis) could potentially expand their capabilities.

The post arises due to maternity leave (June 2025-Feb 2026, inclusive) of a current staff member. The post-holder will join an existing project team within Prof Alphey’s wider group, collaborating as part of this project with Prof Neil Bruce’s group in the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP), also in Dept of Biology. 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, and subsequently worked at The Pirbright Institute before moving to York in August 2022.

Being part of an ongoing project, start date is negotiable but potentially immediately after completion of the recruitment process. 

Role

The core of the project is to develop and test components, modules and systems for 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

• Grade 5: HNC, HND, undergraduate degree, or equivalent experience

• Grade 6: Undergraduate degree, or equivalent relevant experience

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

• Project-relevant experience, e.g. insect synthetic biology, rearing, transformation, gene editing, bioinformatics, molecular biology, fatty acid analysis

• 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) 

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