: Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU)
: Nonprofits / องค์กรไม่แสวงหาผลกำไร
: 776
: 30 November 2023
30 December 2023
Postdoc Scientist (based in Vientiane, Laos with 2-year contract)
Postdoctoral position in molecular virology based in Vientiane, Laos
We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious virologist to join our team. We have a fully funded postdoctoral position available for 2 years, to lead the molecular epidemiology of human respiratory syncytial virus and other viruses of medical importance in Laos.
Institution information: This project will be based at Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust-Research Unit (LOMWRU) led by Prof Elizabeth Ashley, involving the virology team of Dr Audrey Dubot-Pérès in close collaboration with the Bacteriology team led by Dr Matthew Robinson. Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust-Research Unit (LOMWRU) is a Lao-UK project conducting infectious disease research in Laos and global medicine quality research since 2000.The office is based in the Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.
Project summary:
Circulation of influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an overall drop in incidence in northern and southern hemispheres. This has mainly been attributed to control measures put in place to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Changes in the epidemiology of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and other respiratory viruses reported by numerous countries with disappearance during the early part of the pandemic have in some cases been followed by atypical resurgences. Surveillance of respiratory viruses continues to be important with technological advances such as whole genome sequencing enabling better characterization of variants and transmission dynamics. Very little is known about the genetic epidemiology of RSV and other respiratory viruses in Laos and there is a tremendous need for monitoring strain circulation in Laos and potential emergence of new strains that could have an impact on epidemiology, severity of the disease and the efficacy of antiviral therapeutic, monoclonal antibody treatments and vaccines.
We propose to set up a pilot system for genomic RSV surveillance in children presenting to hospitals in Lao PDR including the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) as the source of RSV RNA for subsequent genome sequencing using MinION Mk1B sequencer (Oxford Nanopore). Our main objective is to set up a pipeline for providing RSV epidemiological and genomic data from hospitals and remote areas to health authorities to help in public health decision-making. This approach would be a scalable national surveillance system at sentinel sites, and could eventually be applied to other viruses of medical importance in Laos.
Responsibilities:
Primary responsibilities will include
Experiments will be performed in BSL2 research labs. Training will be given.
Qualification:
Essential Criteria
Desirable Criteria
How to apply:
Please send your CV, letter of intent and the names and addresses of three references to
Audrey Dubot-Pérès and Sengmany Symanivong
Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust-Research Unit (LOMWRU)
Emails: Audrey@tropmedres.ac; Sengmany@tropmedres.ac