The Pirbright Instutute Work Values

Daily Duties at The Pirbright Instutute:

Project: Development of a heterologous prime-boost vaccination strategy combining live attenuated vaccine, BRSV ∆SH vaccine versus subunit recombinant human RSV protein-based vaccine.  Planning study logistics, designing experimental protocols and activity schedule in collaboration with the principal investigator (PI) and conducting regulated experimental manipulations on calves, including intranasal priming with the live attenuated vaccine (BRSV ∆SH vaccine), intramuscular boosting with the subunit vaccine (recombinant human RSV protein-based vaccine), aerosol challenge with a wild-type virulent BRSV isolate (Snook) and nasopharyngeal swab and blood sample collection, assisted by the animal facility technicians and the PI.  Processing blood samples collected from animals for serum and PBMC, and nasopharyngeal swabs for nasal secretions and establishing bio-analytical methods, encompassing Flow cytometry (FCM) and ELISPOT based virus neutralizing assays and ELISA to test blood serum and nasal secretion samples for neutralizing antibodies and antibody isotyping respectively, and B ELISPOT and FCM-based cell phenotyping and functional assays to analyse PBMC samples, for plasma B cells and functional T cells respectively.  Monitoring, by use of qRT-PCR and plaque assays, virus load in nasopharyngeal swab preparations to assess nasal virus shedding caused by live attenuated vaccine and/or wild-type virus upon challenge.  Carrying cultures of a variety of cell cultures, including PBMC, IgG-secreting B cell hybridoma, Vero, CEF, FCK and MDBK cells and performing propagation, titration and storage (liquid nitrogen or -80oC) of viruses (e.g. BRSV snook isolate and wild type and recombinant Fowlpox (FPV) virus expressing BRSV antigens) in permissive cells (e.g. MDBK, Vero, FCK or CEF cells).  Preparing BRSV and FPV antigens for ELISA testing and gamma-delta T cell-depleted PBMC by use of magnetic beads for FCM-based intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) assays.  Undertaking background literature searches for the project and reviewing research data to maintain advanced scientific expertise and foster better understanding and interpretation of project planned activities and expected outputs.  Analyzing and reviewing research data for presentation in lab meetings and/or scientific conferences before publication in peer-reviewed journal articles and/or patenting and keeping accurate written and records of research data and stored laboratory stocks in the laboratory database system.  Carrying out production of documents such as protocols, internal procedures, SOPs, grant abstracts and article manuscripts and maintaining collaborative relationships with colleagues, technical staff, group leaders, pharmaceutical representatives, and key partners.  Proposing new research ideas in light of new technologies relevant for the project and the Institute’s interest research areas and supporting the Institute high-level events and meetings related to the science innovation and promotion programme.

What they like about The Pirbright Instutute:

A hiring company that offers alternative approaches to pay, performance bonuses, and/or equity in the firm is very attractive to you. You're generally less interested in working for an organization offering only traditional, salary-based compensation, one with limited opportunity to acquire equity in the firm, or one that does not actively promote skill development. In addition, you are more likely to choose a company that offers a variety of internal career options, with defined career paths. You view the learning of new skills and development of your expertise as key to your career advancement. These aspects of an organization may become even more important to you as you progress in your field, and are especially critical if you change career or occupation.

Tags

ELISA, Cytometry, ELISPOT, Cell-based assays, Clinical Research, Data Analysis, Good Clinical Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices

Skills

Flow cytometry Analyses, Flow cytometry Analyses, Immunoassay and cell-based assay development, Humanc tissue culture and animal handling, Virus propagation and titration , Design and formulation of lioid based particle (e.g liposomes, archaeosomes and others), Vaccine characterization and evaluation skills, Expertise in production of documents such as protocols, SOPS and article manuscripts, Clinical trial and GCP knowledge, Data analysis, review and presentation using statistical software and MS word suite , Data presentation in seminaries

These are some of the questions we asked our climbers about their experiences with The Pirbright Instutute: