"Research Assistant - MosquitoNI (Part-Time)"

Research Assistant - MosquitoNI (Part-Time)

Queen's University Belfast - School of Biological Sciences

The School of Biological Sciences is currently seeking to appoint a Research Assistant (part-time). The appointee will join the Environmental Change Biology Laboratory on a project focused on mosquito-borne disease risks under anthropogenic environmental gradients. They will work in a multidisciplinary team that includes ecologists, virologists, and mathematical modellers in collaboration across Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Glasgow, and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

The successful candidate will work within the new 4-year “MosquitoNI: Mosquito-borne disease risk to Northern Ireland under environmental change” project, funded by BBSRC’s New Investigator Award scheme. The project focuses on understanding the implications of climate and land use changes for mosquito-borne disease risk, while addressing regional paucities in knowledge around arthropod vectors and their viruses in Northern Ireland. The successful candidate will be expected to work with wider governmental, charitable, and industrial stakeholders, alongside the public, to translate project outcomes and achieve effective engagement and outreach.

The candidate will provide research support across several components of the project, including field surveys for mosquitoes and their viruses, sample preparation and identification, experimental setup, and stakeholder and public engagement activities. They will gain valuable experience in insect vector biology specifically, alongside broader scientific techniques and in working with academic and non-academic partners.

About The Person

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• A primary degree in a relevant field (e.g. Ecology, Molecular Biology, Biology).
• Demonstrable experience conducting or supporting research in an academic or laboratory-related setting.
• Demonstrated motivation to work in the field of insect vector biology, with a commitment to improving public and animal health outcomes.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in research and communication.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.

This part time (0.5 FTE) post is available for four years. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.