Research Fellow

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to September 2026

Background

A unique opportunity for a successful applicant to undertake research in phage display technology for enabling the discovery of peptides capable of targeting glycans.

Sugar chains, known as glycans, perform a vast array of biological functions and play key roles in various physiological and pathological events. Thus, glycans are a rich source of biomarkers for many diseases, including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, hereditary disorders, immune deficiencies, and cancer. However, a major technological bottleneck exists in the development of binding entities that can recognise glycan biomarkers with high specificity and affinity. This hampers major advances in the early and accurate diagnosis of many devastating human illnesses.

The Research Fellow will tackle the technical challenges in the development of innovative solutions to creating a highly effective high throughput selection method for peptide-based glycan binders using phase display technology. It will include incorporation of non-natural amino acids and genetic modification of bacteriophages.

This is a two-year European Research Council (ERC)-funded project, and the Research Fellow will join an interdisciplinary research team across the School of Chemical Engineering and School of Biosciences.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids 
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results 
• Contribute to generating funding 
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Person Specification

The successful candidate is required to have expertise in phage display technology including generation and screening of M13 Bacteriophage libraries, maintenance of phage stocks and genetic analysis of phage. In addition, expertise in genetic modification of bacteriophage, medium scale bacteriophage production and bioconjugation would be helpful.

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquires can be made to Paula Mendes, email: p.m.mendes@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

Closes: 06/01/2025

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