Senior Research Assistant in Biosciences

About the role

Joining a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team, you will support the project Investigators to drive forward research activities for the "Sustainable Style for Clean Growth: Innovating Textile Production through Engineering Biology" project. We're in search of two dedicated, motivated, and innovative researchers to join the Living Construction research group in Northumbria University for this BBSRC-funded project through UKRI Engineering Biology Mission Awards scheme. The primary objective of this project is to harness the unique capabilities of synthetic biology and microbial biotechnology to exert genetic control over bacterial cellulose (BC) production, aiming for modifications, enhancements, customization, and optimization to achieve truly sustainable BC-based leather through a streamlined process.

Both RAs focus will revolve around utilizing synthetic biology and microbial biotechnology to investigate and develop fabrication processes for producing cellulose-based materials using waste biomass. These materials will incorporate biologically derived colours, patterns, and additives, ensuring that the cultures' output aligns with the fashion industry's demand for sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to leather.

This project involves close collaboration with two key industrial partners: Modern Synthesis (London), who are using microbial cellulose to make fashion products, and Colorifix (Norwich), who are developing microbially made dyes for the textiles industry. Additionally, our team will closely collaborate with Brewlab (Sunderland), a provider of biomass waste for sustainable production. Furthermore, all appointed researchers will engage in close collaboration with academic partners at Imperial College London, with regular travel to London for project meetings."

Further information is available in the job description.

The role is fixed term for 24 months.

About the team

This research project will be delivered within the Living Construction research group in Northumbria University and also will work very closely with the synthetic biology research group led by Prof Tom Ellis in Imperial College London. Living Construction group is one of research groups in the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE, bbe.ac.uk/living-construction), which focuses on the production of functional materials through biological fabrication processes. One key area of research is the exploration of the engineered living materials for a wide range of applications including the construction, fashion, and biomedicine.

The RAs will be based in the HBBE labs in the Department of Applied Sciences at Northumbria University (www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/applied-sciences).

About you

Applicants should hold a PhD (or equivalent) in synthetic biology, biomaterials, biofabrication, microbiology or biodesign. Being familiar with material-producing non-model microbes and co-culturing methods and material characterization is desirable. You should be able to work independently and as part of a team, and possess multitasking abilities. Excellent communication (written and oral) and organisation skills are essential, and evidence in initiating and delivery scientific publication is required.

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Prof Meng Zhang (meng.zhang@northumbria.ac.uk).

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