Post-Doctoral Research Associates in Engineering Biology

We are recruiting a team of highly motivated post-doctoral scientists to join a multi-laboratory research team working on an exciting UKRI/BBSRC Engineering Biology Mission Award in artificial cells for crop protection. We aim to recruit to multiple posts for research spanning the domains of artificial cells and lipid membranes, molecular biology including protein expression and purification and/or minimal in vitro systems, bacterial engineering, droplet chemistry/microfluidics and robotics and autonomous/automated systems. Some posts are open for immediate appointment with flexibility for the right candidates. Researchers will work across the Schools of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biosciences, and Engineering in this exciting, ambitious, mission-orientated, collaborative research project.

The lab research of the project will deliver environmentally responsive artificial cells for crop protection. The artificial cells represent engineered materials inspired by biology based on the cell membrane. Much like biological cells, we will reconstitute functional molecular metabolisms and engineer environmentally responsive triggers, to activate the desired molecular synthesis and release at the right-time to enhance plant health. Importantly, these artificial cellular systems afford flexibility and a combinatorial ability to assemble pathways not normally found together in nature. Robotic tools will be developed for high-throughput experimental optimisation. The artificial cells are non-reproducing and avoid the need to create transgenic organisms, therefore representing an emerging future technology for food security whilst minimising ecological impact.

Candidates must have a PhD (or be submitted) at the time of application. Candidates should have a proven track record in one or more of the domain areas highlighted above, with knowledge of the current research in complementary areas relevant to the project. An enthusiasm for cross-disciplinary working, and an appetite to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team for the delivery of the mission goals are both essential.

The successful candidates will work within a multidisciplinary team spanning the life and physical science adopting the principles of Engineering Biology and Synthetic Biology to deliver on the ambition of the project. Candidates will work with the academic team of Dr Oliver Castell (Mission Lead, Engineering Biology), Prof Mahenthiralingam (Bacteria and Genetic Engineering), Prof Murray (Molecular Biology and Plant Science), Prof Berry (Protein Engineering), Dr Li (Soft Matter Engineering and Microfluidics), Prof Barrow (Microfluidics and Microfabrication) and Dr Ji (Robotics and Autonomous Systems), as well as their established research groups. This environment will provide extremely rich training, learning and development opportunities working within a team of successful research groups spanning multiple areas of expertise. The exciting and large-scale project will provide opportunities to publish in well-read, broad-multidisciplinary journals, where the supervisory team have a strong track-record of publication, as well as provide the opportunity to attend and present and international conferences and to broaden professional networks.

We encourage informal enquiries. Please contact Dr Oliver Castell (CastellO@Cardiff.ac.uk) in the first instance.

All posts are fixed-term for a period of 2 years, full time (35 hours per week.) Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Secondment opportunity welcome - please note for Cardiff University members of staff interested in this post on a secondment basis, permission will need to be sought from your current Line Manager before applying.

Close date: Thursday, 15 August 2024

This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only.  We now invite external applications.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University.

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