Research Associate in Chemical Biology and Biocatalysis

‘A versatile biocatalytic platform for scalable therapeutic oligonucleotide manufacturing’

A position is available for a Research Associate with experience in directed evolution, biocatalysis, biochemistry or a related discipline. The aim of the research is to develop and optimize a biocatalytic approach to therapeutic oligonucleotide synthesis. This position is based in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) under the supervision of Dr Sarah Lovelock but candidates will work closely with industrial partners, AstraZeneca, Novartis, CPI, Novo Nordisk and BioMarin.

Therapeutic oligonucleotides selectively bind to target mRNA to modulate the production of disease related proteins and have emerged as a potential new drug modality for the treatment of a whole range of disease areas. However, current methods of chemical synthesis are not scalable and are limited to

This is a highly interdisciplinary project at the cutting edge of enzyme engineering and nucleic acid therapeutics research and the successful applicants will have full access to state-of-the-art facilities for reaction scale-up and high-throughput automated enzyme engineering, including liquid handling robots, colony pickers and a suite of high throughput analytical facilities. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to apply and further develop their expertise in both fundamental and translational science, which are highly relevant to a future career in the pharmaceutical and wider chemical industry.

Applicants should have, or are expect to attain a PhD or equivalent, in Chemical Biology, Biochemistry or Biocatalysis, and have a thesis submitted prior to taking up the position. We seek applications from experienced researchers with a proven track record in the optimization of biocatalytic processes. You should be capable of working under your own initiative but also collaborating with industrial and academic research partners, so excellent communication and organisational skills are required.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here.

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CVs submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Sarah Lovelock 

Email: sarah.lovelock@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support: jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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