Research Assistant - Chemical Biologist

Location: Singleton Campus, Swansea 

Swansea University is a research-led university that has been making a difference since 1920. The University community thrives on exploration and discovery and offers the right balance of excellent teaching and research, matched by an enviable quality of life.

Our stunning waterfront campuses and multicultural community make us a desirable workplace for colleagues from around the world. Our reward and benefits, and ways of working enable those who join us to have enriching careers, matched by an excellent work-life balance.

About The Role

The Natural Products BioHUB is an industry-academia interface project aimed at accelerating the development and innovation of economically viable products from living organisms. It utilizes existing research capabilities and innovative business models to streamline the journey from discovery to commercialization. This includes focusing on developing algal biotechnological application and natural product discovery. The goal is to research natural products, develop innovative processes, overcome regulatory challenges and facilitate the commercial viability of new products, driving green technology innovation and supporting global sustainability.

The successful candidate will work at the interface of genomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics to discover and identify novel bioactive compounds from fungi and algae. They will conduct research to cultivate, extract, and analyse natural products. The role also involves application of in silico methods e.g. to study interactions between insect odour-binding proteins and chemical structures for developing insect lures and repellents. The ideal candidate will have expertise in natural product chemistry and bioinformatics, with hands-on experience in culturing microbes, ideally, but not essential fungi and/or algae, chemical extraction, and metabolomics.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

As an inclusive and welcoming workplace, we value people for their skills regardless of their background. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.

Welsh Language Skills

The Welsh language level required for this role is Level 1 - A little. The role holder will be able to pronounce Welsh words, answer the phone in Welsh (good morning/afternoon) and use very basic everyday words and phrases (thank you, please etc.). Level 1 can be reached by completing a 1 hour course.

Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English. Welsh speakers have the right to an interview in Welsh.

Additional Information

Applications for this role will take the format of a CV submission and cover letter.

Closing Date: 5 January 2025

Interview Date: 21 January 2025

Informal Enquiries

•  Dr Eva Sonnenschein e.c.sonnenschein@swansea.ac.uk
•  Prof Dan Eastwood d.c.eastwood@swansea.ac.uk

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