Research Fellow in Protein Biochemistry, Structural and Infection Biology (108997-0624)

Location: University of Warwick Campus, Coventry

Duration: FTC until 30th June 2027

Salary: Up to £44,263 per annum depending on experience and skills

About the Role  

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor David Roper at David.roper@warwick.ac.uk or Dr Nicholas S. Briggs at Nicholas.S.Briggs@warwick.ac.uk 

Fixed term contract from the date of appointment for up to 36 months depending on the starting salary of the successful candidate 

We wish to recruit a postdoctoral researcher with skill sets in the general area of protein biochemistry, structural and infection biology to take part in a project focussed an essential bacterial cell division protein complex from Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The goal of this project is to understand the mechanism of action and control of the PcsB peptidoglycan hydrolase in complex with the ATP dependent FtsE-FtsX cell division proteins which are essential for bacterial cell division. To achieve this, you will be utilising a wide range of interdisciplinary tools including mechanistic biochemistry, structural biology as well as molecular biology approaches, spanning in-vivo to in-vitro investigations. This post will also involve biochemical characterisation of protein-based virulence factors as well as assessment of their effects within an in-vivo wax moth infection model. The project will involve collaboration with Professor Malcom Winkler at Indiana University (IU) in the US and Dr Min Lou at National University of Singapore (NUS).

You will join an ambitious interdisciplinary team on a 3-year project in which microscopy, biochemistry and infection biology will be used to study and understand the role of this complex in bacterial cell division in the context of novel antibacterial treatment development.

The post will be within the research group of David Roper at the School of Life Sciences, and is co-supervised by Professor Philip Stansfeld at University of Warwick (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/people/droper/) and is available for up to 3 years funded by a the MRC.

About You  

Ideally you will have a background in biochemistry, microbiology or related subjects with expertise and experience in structural and infection biology (e.g: tissue culture) as well as skill sets to support recombinant DNA approaches to expresses, purify and manipulate proteins for characterisation studies. 

Individuals who are able to work collaboratively as well as individually are required who enjoy the challenges and rewards of working in teams.  Ambitious research career orientated individuals will excel in this team driven approach to science.

For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the attached job description.

If you are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD but have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant at the top of level 5 of the University grade structure. Upon receipt of evidence of the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of level 6 of the University grade structure. 

CLOSING DATE: Tuesday 9th July 2024 at 11.55pm

Full details of the duties and selection criteria for this role can be found in the vacancy advert on the University of Warwick's jobs pages. You will be routed to this when you click on the Apply button.

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