Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term)

The Open Bioeconomy Lab, headed by Dr. Jenny Molloy (openbioeconomy.org), is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate for OpenBioMAPS, a BBSRC Engineering Biology Mission Award developing open source tools for distributed biomanufacturing of enzymes and antibodies at low-cost using benchtop microbial and plant systems.

The overall goals of OpenBioMAPS are to work with UK biomanufacturing startups and SMEs to better understand their needs for next-generation, affordable technologies; seed a community of developers and users of open biomanufacturing tools; create training for academics and industry scientists to develop skills at the interface of biology and engineering; and use this as a springboard to run interdisciplinary mini-projects across the UK engineering biology community.

The role holder will benchmark the open source yeast strain OpenPichia combined with expression constructs developed using the Open Yeast Collection to develop a yeast-based recombinant protein expression that can be freely distributed for commercial use. They will collaborate with Dr Scott Pownall (Open Science Network) on the Open Yeast Collection: supporting community-led development and characterisation of innovative DNA toolkits for protein expression in Pichia pastoris. They will also support Prof Jim Haseloff (Department of Plant Sciences) and Dr Matthew Wayland (Department of Zoology) on testing bioreactor and bioprocessing platforms to enable UK startups and SMEs to rapidly establish protein biomanufacturing workflows with low capital expenditure.

The successful candidate will have a PhD, or be studying towards a PhD, in synthetic biology or a related field, and will have experience of genome editing and strain engineering in bacteria or yeast. Experience with recombinant protein expression in Pichia pastoris is essential. The ability to work both as part of a team, and independently, coupled with excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills are essential to this role. More information on the role and person specification is available on the Further Particulars attached.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD; those without a PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Fixed-term: the funds for this post are available for 6 months in the first instance.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Jenny Molloy (). Any queries on the application process should be addressed to Mrs Alessandra Uomo, HR Administrator, at .

Closing date for applications is 24th November 2024.

Interviews are likely to be held on Tuesday 26th November 2024.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.