Research Associate in Software Development for Structural Biology

Department

A 3 year Research Associate post in the Department of Chemistry is available to work on the Moorhen project bringing the world leading protein editing and validation program "Coot" to the web browser. Part time working (min 0.8 FTE) and job sharing will be considered. You will work with Professor Kathryn Cowtan and an active group embedded in the Queen’s Award winning York Structural Biology Laboratory.

The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest and most successful departments at York and we are renowned internationally for our research. As a department, we strive to provide a working environment that allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel. We are proud of our Athena SWAN Gold Award.

Role

You will:

• analyse the user experience and work with scientists and industrial users to improve Moorhen
• assess functionality which needs to be ported from the existing Coot, CCP4mg and other structural biology software
• implement methods for graphical presentation and manipulation of structural data in Typescript and/or C++ for compilation to WebAssembly
• manage source code repositories and servers
• fix bugs in the Moorhen program; enhance testing frameworks

Where appropriate you will:

• assist in the identification and development of potential areas of research and the development of research proposals
• provide guidance to other staff and students, as required, as well as coordinating the work of small research teams
• write up research results and disseminate them through publications, seminar and conference presentations and public engagement and outreach activities.
• assist with undergraduate teaching in your own area of expertise

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• A first degree in a physical science, mathematics or computing; a PhD in physical science, computing or equivalent experience
• Knowledge and skills in computational science, research techniques and methodologies including computer programming in a modern object oriented computer language
• Experience of collaboration and version control systems
• User interface design skills
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills
• Ability to write-up research work for publications and to present to conferences
• Ability and experience to develop research objectives and carry out individual and collaborative projects, planning and prioritising own work in order to meet deadlines
• Highly motivated and professional and collaborative work ethic, committed to high quality research and a willingness to proactively support colleagues and students
• Ability to work within a team environment and to work independently using own initiative and with attention to detail

Interview date: Friday 3rd January 2025

For informal enquiries: please contact Professor Kathryn Cowtan (kathryn.cowtan@york.ac.uk)

The Department of Chemistry values all employees for the qualities and skills they bring to the workplace and aims to be a diverse and egalitarian community in which all can thrive.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

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