Imperial College Invites Applications for the Role of Research Technician in Malaria Transmission Biology (Salary Range: £37,108 – £40,166)

Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences
Location: South Kensington Campus, London
Contract: Full-time, Fixed-term
Salary: £37,108 – £40,166 per annum
Closing Date: 7 September 2025

About the Role

Imperial College London’s Department of Life Sciences invites applications for the role of Research Technician to join the Vector Immunogenomics and Infection Laboratory (VigiLab). Based on the South Kensington Campus, this full-time role supports internationally recognized research into novel malaria control strategies under the supervision of Professor George K. Christophides and Dr. Dina Vlachou.

VigiLab conducts cutting-edge research in mosquito vector biology, host-pathogen interactions, infection and immunity. A major focus of the lab is the development of genetically modified Anopheles mosquitoes that express anti-parasitic effectors aimed at blocking malaria transmission.

This position plays an integral part in the Transmission Zero initiative — a global effort to establish transgenic mosquito strategies as a sustainable solution to eliminate malaria.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will support the lab’s experimental and operational functions by:

• Rearing and maintaining colonies of Anopheles mosquitoes, including transgenic lines.
• Culturing and maintaining Plasmodium falciparum parasites.
• Ensuring smooth operation of insectary and parasite culture facilities during weekends to maintain continuous experimental workflows.
• Assisting with a wide range of laboratory techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, molecular cloning, immunological assays (e.g., ELISA, Western blotting, immunofluorescence), media preparation, tissue dissection, and nucleic acid extraction.
• Providing technical support to postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and external collaborators.

Candidate Requirements

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• A BSc in a relevant life sciences field.
• Proven laboratory experience, particularly in sterile technique and molecular biology.
• Demonstrable experience with Anopheles mosquitoes or other insect species.
• Hands-on experience working with cell cultures and/or parasitic organisms.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
• Motivation to contribute to impactful, high-quality scientific research.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of vector biology and malaria parasite biology.
• Familiarity with genetic engineering or transgenic organism maintenance.

What Imperial Offers

Joining Imperial means being part of a world-class research institution at the forefront of global scientific advancement. The role provides:

• The opportunity to engage in research with real-world impact on malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Hands-on experience in cutting-edge fields such as vector biology, molecular parasitology, and genetic engineering.
• A supportive environment with access to dedicated career development resources, mentoring, and research training.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, including:
  • 41 days of paid leave per year (including public holidays).
  • Generous pension schemes.
  • Family leave packages.
  • On-site leisure facilities.
  • Cycle-to-work scheme.
  • Flexible working policy from day one.

Imperial’s South Kensington campus offers a vibrant and diverse academic community, with access to world-leading laboratories, research networks, and career-building opportunities.

Additional Information

This role requires regular weekend work to support live organism care and ensure continuous experimental operations.

For further details, prospective applicants may contact:

• Professor George K. Christophides at [email protected]
• Dr. Dina Vlachou at [email protected]

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted via the Imperial College London jobs portal. Early submission is advised as the advert may close before the posted deadline if a high volume of applications is received.

Application Deadline: 7 September 2025
Reference Number: NAT02010

About Imperial College London

Imperial College London is ranked among the world’s top ten universities and is globally recognized for its impactful research across science, engineering, medicine, and business. With over 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, Imperial offers a collaborative, innovative environment where academic excellence thrives.

Imperial is committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace. Applications are encouraged from all individuals, regardless of background, identity, or experience. The College supports diversity and strives to eliminate discrimination while promoting equality of opportunity for all.

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.