Research Associate in Textiles Synthetic Biology

Location: South Kensington

Contract: Full time and fixed term for 2 years

Key duties and responsibilities

We are looking for to appoint two (2) Researchers to join the synthetic biology research group of Professor Tom Ellis in the Department of Bioengineering, to work on a new materials synthetic biology research project that is funded as one the new UKRI Engineering Biology Mission Awards. In total, five research associates will be appointed to this two-year project by the end of 2024. Three are based at Imperial College and two at Northumbria University.

Both roles will focus on using synthetic biology methods to research and develop engineered bacteria that can grow cellulose-based materials with biologically made colours, patterns and biopolymer additives that mean that the materials produced by these cultures are ideal for use as a sustainable and biodegradable replacement for leather use in the fashion industry. The project will involve working closely 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. All researchers appointed to this project will also work closely with academic collaborators at Northumbria University and be expected to travel to Newcastle for regular meetings.

The main tasks for the two roles involve genetic engineering Komagataeibacter species of bacteria and culturing and genetically modifying other microbes proficient in biopolymer production including B. subtilis, X. campestris, S. elodea and others. Co-culturing of multiple microbes in growth reactors and optimising the growth media formulations for this will also be an aim. As part of the synthetic biology work, engineering plasmids and genomes will be required, and expressing and purifying designed proteins and fusion proteins will be an important task. This will necessitate working with E. coli bacteria and S. cerevisiae yeast, and using methods including Golden Gate DNA assembly, Gibson DNA assembly, flow cytometry, fluorescent microscopy, Western blot, and immunoassays. Applicants with demonstrated experience with these various organisms and techniques are desired.

Essential requirements

The research associates appointed will get to work on this innovative project and work with state-of-the-art synthetic biology techniques and technologies in a collaborative working environment. The ideal candidates will be experienced with microbiology, synthetic biology and biodesign. Being familiar with material-producing non-model microbes and co-culturing methods is desirable.

Applicants should have a PhD in synthetic biology, microbiology (or equivalent) for appointment at Research Associate level. Applicants close to completion of their PhDs will also be considered where experience is directly relevant.

Further Information

This is a full time, fixed term position for 24 months.

All candidates wishing to apply for this post need to fill in and submit an online application.

Should you require any further details on the role please contact Professor Tom Ellis at: t.ellis@imperial.ac.uk

For technical issues when applying online please email recruitment@imperial.ac.uk

Committed to equality and valuing diversity, we are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and work in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.

To apply, visit www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs and search by the job reference ENG03050.

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