Research assistant

Do you have a strong background in veterinary virology and molecular diagnostics, and would you like to contribute to research on African swine fever (ASF) in an international and interdisciplinary environment? Then you might be our new colleague.

About the department

You will be part of the Department of Virology and Microbiological Preparedness (VMB) at Statens Serum Institut (SSI), and work in the Section for Veterinary Virology (VETVIR).

VETVIR is responsible for national laboratory preparedness for important infectious viral diseases of livestock and wildlife, including African swine fever. The section combines diagnostics, preparedness and research and participates in several national and international research projects.

Your role

You will contribute to research activities on African swine fever, including work within the Horizon Europe project ASFaVIP – African Swine Fever attenuated live Vaccines In Pigs.

Your work will focus particularly on laboratory investigations supporting the characterization of ASF vaccine candidates and associated diagnostic approaches.

Your primary tasks will include:

• performing molecular virological analyses, including PCR and quantitative PCR
  
  

• contributing to the evaluation and further development of DIVA diagnostic approaches
  
  

• investigating vaccine virus distribution in tissues and biological samples
  
  

• analysing vaccine virus shedding and persistence
  
  

• processing, quality-controlling and interpreting experimental data
  
  

• contributing to scientific publications, reports and project outputs
  
  

• collaborating closely with laboratory technicians, researchers and national and international project partners.
  
  

Depending on your experience, you may also contribute to other research projects and diagnostic activities within the department.

Your education, experience and qualifications

You have research experience in veterinary medicine, virology, molecular biology or a related scientific field.

We expect that you have:

• a strong background in virology and molecular biology;
  
  

• hands-on experience with molecular diagnostic methods, particularly PCR and quantitative PCR;
  
  

• experience in the analysis and interpretation of experimental laboratory data;
  
  

• the ability to work independently and systematically and to bring experimental work to completion;
  
  

• experience in scientific writing and the preparation of research results for publication;
  
  

• good written and spoken English.
  
  

We also emphasize that you

• enjoy working in an interdisciplinary and international research environment;
  
  

• collaborate constructively with laboratory technicians, researchers and project partners;
  
  

• work independently, take responsibility and follow tasks through to completion;
  
  

• are systematic and reliable in laboratory documentation and data management;
  
  

• are flexible and willing to contribute where needed during the final phase of a collaborative research project;
  
  

• contribute to a positive, respectful and supportive working environment.
  
  

We offer

You will join an experienced veterinary virology team working at the interface of research, diagnostics and preparedness.

The position offers the opportunity to work on internationally relevant ASF research and to contribute to the generation and interpretation of data supporting future vaccine evaluation and disease control.

About the employment

This is a fixed-term position linked to the final phase of the Horizon Europe ASFaVIP project and would cover the time from January 1st 2027 to December 31st 2027.

Employment will be in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and job structure for academic staff with research tasks at Danish sector research institutions.

Due to the nature of the work, specific biosafety requirements and restrictions relating to contact with susceptible livestock may apply.

Further information

For more information about the position, please contact Senior Researcher Sandra Blome (sanbl@ssi.dk), tel.: 24666148 or Head of Section Louise Lohse, tel.: 32688370. You can read more about the recruitment process at Job at SSI.

Further information about the ASFaVIP project is available at www.asfavip.eu

ASFaVIP has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101136676.