Research Fellow

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to November 2026

Background

This is a postdoctoral position in the group of Dr Peacock in the School of Chemistry, working in collaboration with the group of Dr de Cogan in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham, on the development of eye drops for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is the most common cause of vision loss in the over 50s and is currently treated by intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF therapies. This project will conduct research into the use of small molecules as carrier ligands that enables the non-invasive delivery of drugs (through eye drops) used to treat AMD.

The project will involve establishing structure-activity relationships for the molecular delivery systems; characterising the bonding between the molecular delivery system and the anti-VEGF therapeutics (engineered proteins/antibodies); and evaluating formulation and stability. This project will be well suited to someone who is excited about developing a novel technology towards a real clinical application. Candidates must have, or be near to completion of, a PhD in Chemistry, Biophysics or related discipline.

The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham is a vibrant and thriving academic community, with over 100 academic and research staff, 20 professional services staff and over 600 students. We provide an inclusive and supportive environment where we strive to support every member of staff in realising their career potential. With a strong focus on our four Research Themes of Energy, Sustainability, Environment and Health, and a number of interdisciplinary Interest Groups serving as testbeds to explore new and emerging areas of interest, we are a dynamic place to work. We have ambitious plans to expand our research activity and are in an exciting period of growth: major investment from the University has delivered a state-of-the-art research building (opened 2024), and new multi-million pound high-performance computing facilities, which will ensure UK-leading compute capability. These investments build on a major recent expansion of our academic staff and investment in our teaching and learning provision, with our Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (opened 2018), already revolutionising how we teach undergraduate practical chemistry.

Role Summary

• Work on Dr Peacock and Dr de Cogan’s funded research grant “Designing Eye Drops for Age-Related Macular Degeneration” 
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results 
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts and reports and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Person Specification

• Candidates must have a PhD or be near to completion, in Chemistry, Biophysics or related discipline
• Candidates should be familiar with a range of different spectroscopic techniques, such as (though expertise in all is not required) Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), Circular Dichroism, Mass Spectrometry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR), fluorescence anisotropy, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Microscale Thermophoresis (MST) and HPLC. Experience in peptide chemistry is desirable but not essential

Informal enquiries to Dr Anna Peacock: a.f.a.peacock@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: 3rd March 2025 (please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received).

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