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Ansök senast: 2025-04-19

Research Assistant in Biocrystallisation

Publicerad 2025-02-18

The is seeking a Research Assistant to work on (1) the effect of impurities on the crystallisation of proteins and (2) control of peptides nucleation and crystallisation. The post is funded by the UKRI and associated with a Marie Sklodowska Curie Action Doctoral Network on Crystallisation Towards Efficient and Sustainable Biomanufacturing (ProCrystal).

As part of this post, you will enrol on a PhD programme under the supervision of Professor Jerry Heng and be part of a collaborative research programme conducted by 15 PhD students and 11 academic institutions and multiple industrial partners across Europe.


Downstream processing of biopharmaceuticals is dominated by chromatographic steps which suffer from low throughput, poor scalability and elevated energy consumption, as well as high equipment and materials costs. To this is added the low stability and high degradability of liquid formulations. ProCrystal’s goal is to develop crystallisation as a simple, sustainable, cost-efficient and scalable alternative to current DSP techniques and liquid formulations, once it allows to separate, purify and stabilise in a single step. ProCrystal’s programme will span both fundamental understanding of the underlying phenomena, from the molecular scale to process scale, and advanced experimental and modelling techniques specific to crystallisation technology.

You will develop crystallisation as a simple, sustainable, cost-efficient and scalable alternative to current DSP techniques and liquid formulations, once it allows to separate, purify and stabilise in a single step. You will produce independent and original research, specifically in the investigation of multi-component powder and crystalline solid properties. 

You will work in an interdisciplinary research group and interact both with academic and industry partners. You will have the opportunity to disseminate the work in conferences and journal publications.


The following essential knowledge, skills & experience are sought:

  • Hold an MRes, MSc, MEng or equivalent in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience (Supported researchers must be doctoral candidates, . not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment).
  • Practical experience in some of the following: crystallisation, solubility measurements, microscopy, spectroscopic techniques, microscopy, electron microscopy, spectroscopy techniques, and particle synthesis.
  • Practical experience in relevant research areas (peptide/protein crystallisation, nucleation and crystallisation, crystal characterisation, materials characterisation, .
  • Experience of working in a multidisciplinary and diverse team.
  • Recruited researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

  • The opportunity to join an internationally leading surfaces and particle engineering group.
  • The opportunity to develop your skills in particle synthesis, crystallisation and powder characterisation.
  • The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
  • Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
  • Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).