Research Associate

Are you interested in biological research with the ability to contribute to research-led teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels? Are you committed to excellence in research? If so, this exciting opportunity may be ideal.

Dr Mark Shepherd’s lab is looking for a highly motivated individual who is interested in working on bacterial respiratory complexes and drug discovery, with a particular emphasis on protein biochemistry, drug derivatisation, structure: function studies and strategies to improve drug delivery. The post is for four years and is funded by the BBSRC.

The host lab has recently identified steroid drugs as potent antimicrobials and inhibitors of the bacterial respiratory complex cytochrome bd (https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiad540). The overarching aim of this project is to improve the efficacy of steroid drugs to target bacterial pathogens and to extend our understanding of their mechanism of action. 

The successful candidate will interact with project partners across five institutions to develop new steroid drugs, investigate the binding of steroids to cytochrome bd using kinetic and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) approaches, and to study drug uptake and delivery using Raman microscopy and drug encapsulation approaches.

As Research Associate you can expect to be involved in:

• Undertake research at an internationally competitive level.
• Design and execute the necessary experiments maintaining an up-to-date log of the research activity undertaken and of the obtained results
• Assist in the supervision of undergraduates and postgraduate student research projects

What will you bring to the role?

• PhD in the area of Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biophysics or equivalent (or to be in the final stages of obtaining such a qualification and able to evidence that the PhD viva will be held by 6 January 2025) 
• Experience in biochemistry, especially protein purification and enzyme assays 
• Ability to carry out research independently

For more information about what you can look forward to if you join us, visit our dedicated webpage: Working at Kent

We are ambitious for our people, our communities and the region we serve – join us in making the world a better place. Visit our website for more on who we are: http://www.kent.ac.uk/about/

Please see the links below to view the full job description and to apply for this post. For further information regarding the application process, please contact peopleserviceshr@kent.ac.uk quoting reference number NATS-316-24.

Further details:   

Please note that we prioritise applications from current University of Kent redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.

Applications must be made via the University’s online application system; CVs or details sent directly to the department or via email cannot be considered.

The University of Kent values diversity and promotes equality at all levels.

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