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JOB DESCRIPTION
This form summarises the purpose of the job and lists its key tasks.
It may be varied from time to time at the discretion of the College in consultation with the postholder.
Job Title: Research Assistant in Veterinary Parasitology
Job ref no: PPB-0209-15
Grade: 5
Department: Pathology and Pathogen Biology
Accountable to: Senior Lecturer in Molecular Parasitology and
Professor of Veterinary Parasitology
Responsible for: N/A
Job summary:
The post-holder will work with Anoplocephala perfoliata, the commonest adult tapeworm of horses worldwide, found at the
ileo-caecal junction and associated with colic caused by caecal intussusception, caecal perforation, peritonitis and intestinal
obstruction when present in large numbers. The project will (1) monitor the number and distribution of oribatid mites,
intermediate host for the tapeworm, on horse-grazed pastures over an 18-month period; (2) establish whether the
behaviour of infected mites is modified to enhance transmission; and (3) assess the relative importance of horse dung
removal on the transmission of tapeworms to grazing horses.
This project will establish seasonal patterns of exposure of horses at pasture to tapeworm infection and enable us to
optimise current parasite control measures. This post will require a biological sciences graduate, ideally with experience in
molecular biology and/or parasitology.
Competency: Parasitology
Key tasks:
 Collection of background information, grass and faecal samples at project study sites.
 Preservation and morphological identification of recovered oribatid mites.
 Screening of oribatid mites for tapeworm cysticercoid larvae.
 Examination of horse faecal samples for tapeworm eggs.
Competency: Parasitology
Key tasks:
 Establish Anoplocephala infections in oribatid mites maintained in the laboratory.
 Maintain ‘test plots’ to investigate the effect of (i) dung removal on the numbers of infected mites at pasture; and
(ii) tapeworm infection on oribatid mite behaviour.
Competency: Isolation of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) from tapeworm cysticercoid larvae and their oribatid mite hosts
Key tasks:
 Processing of oribatid mites (infected and parasite-free) collected from study sites.
 Carry out PCR amplification and quantitative PCR.
Competency: Contribute to maintenance of scientific quality control.
Key tasks:
 Ensure compliance with COSHH and GRP procedures.
Competency: Support student and colleague training where appropriate.
Key tasks:
 Participate in undergraduate and postgraduate student supervision as required.
Flexibility: To deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed, and the post holder may be required to perform
work not specifically referred to above.