Research Fellow

About us

The research fellow will work in the groups of Jack Jeffries in the Department of Biochemical Engineering and Helen Hailes in the Department of Chemistry at University College London. The project is part of the Preventing Plastic Pollution through Engineering Biology (P3EB) Mission Hub, a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming end-of-life plastic waste using cutting-edge engineering biology technologies. Working in partnership with industry, we will impart value into plastic waste, incentivising its recovery and retention, and so reducing the amount destined for landfill, for incineration, or being discarded into the environment.

About the role

The postholder will be required to develop biotechnology-based solutions to identify routes to recycle plastics. This will involve (i) The production and assay of literature, and metagenomic enzymes, (ii) characterization of the best performing enzy mes, (iii) The use of evolution strategies, to enhance performance, (iv) use of mechanical and chemical pretreatments developed in related research carried out at UCL, to increase biofragmentation/ degradation of polymers including PET and polyurethane (v) valorisation of degradation products towards value added chemicals. The postholder will work in a multi-disciplinary environment with members of the P3EB Hub so excellent team-working and communication skills will be required. The appointment is funded by the UKRI for 24 months in the first instance

About you

The successful candidate will have a PhD degree (or be about to be awarded a PhD) in an area of Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or equivalent subject. Experience in several of the following areas: polymer biodegradation, enzyme discovery, expression and screening, bioinformatics, directed evolution, assay development and compound/polymer characterisation, together with a good publication track record, a demo nstrated commitment to excellence, and excellent skills in the lab are required. They will be required to work in a multidisciplinary, collaborative team and have effective written and verbal communication skills in English. Please note, appointment at Grade 7 (£42,099 - £50,585 including London Allowance) is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B (£37,332 - £39,980 including London Allowance) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

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