The International Livestock Research institute (ILRI) is seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Veterinary immunologist who will play a crucial role in a project on African Swine fever vaccine development combined with leading the development of a program on porcine immunology as it relates to antigen identification and evaluation of novel vaccines at ILRI. This will make use of the new ILRI enhanced BSL2 level experimental pig unit and adjacent modern laboratories, including virus isolation facilities at ILRI. The project is funded by the German Ministry for Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
ILRI works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in West and southern Africa and South and Southeast Asia. www.ilri.org.
The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 31 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.
CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. www.cgiar.org.
Key responsibilities
•Identification of novel candidate ASFV antigens based on binding of peptides to expressed porcine SLA sequences identified in collaboration with Danish collaborators
•Application of predictive software NetMHC Pan based on the SLA/peptide binding data to selected conserved ASFV genes to identify potential novel T cell epitopes
•Experimental infection of pigs with candidate vaccines and east African ASFV isolates and evaluation of immune responses by methods including, antibody responses and T cell assays including gamma interferon ELISPOT
•Establish additional porcine immunological assays including definition of porcine T cell subsets and cytokine bioassays
•Develop antigen presentation assays for assessment of T cell responses in vaccinated or infected animals based on immortalized autologous fibroblasts
•Attempt manipulation of East African ASFV by established techniques to create live attenuated viruses as candidate vaccines
•Develop proposals work on host virus interaction and vaccine evolution for additional porcine viral diseases that are currently under-researched in Africa
Requirements
•Degree in Veterinary Medicine or equivalent
•PhD in Veterinary Virology
•Significant record of publication in international refereed journals;
•Experience in sampling and experimenting infection of pigs and previous experience of working on porcine viral diseases will confer a strong advantage
Post location: This position is based at ILRI’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
Duration: 24 months with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.
Position level: Post-doctoral Scientist (4A). Base salary starting from USD 35,000 per annum depending on skills and experience, with an attractive international benefits package (tax free*).
Benefits: ILRI offers a competitive international remuneration and benefits package which includes: 15% Pension Medical insurance for staff and dependents Life insurance Education allowance for childrenHousing allowanceAnnual Home leaveAnnual holiday entitlement of 30 days public holidays.
*Benefits are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship.
中国-博士人才网发布
