Research Assistant in Biocrystallisation

Location: South Kensington Campus

About the role:

The Department of Chemical Engineering is seeking a Research Assistant to work on:

1. the effect of impurities on the crystallisation of proteins and
2. control of peptides nucleation and crystallisation.

The post is funded by the UKRI and associated with a Marie Sklodowska Curie Action Doctoral Network on Crystallisation Towards Efficient and Sustainable Biomanufacturing (ProCrystal).

What you would be doing:

Downstream processing of biopharmaceuticals is dominated by chromatographic steps which suffer from low throughput, poor scalability and elevated energy consumption, as well as high equipment and materials costs. To this is added the low stability and high degradability of liquid formulations. ProCrystal’s programme will span both fundamental understanding of the underlying phenomena, from the molecular scale to process scale, and advanced experimental and modelling techniques specific to crystallisation technology.

You will develop crystallisation as a simple, sustainable, cost-efficient and scalable alternative to current DSP techniques and liquid formulations, once it allows to separate, purify and stabilise in a single step. You will produce independent and original research, specifically in the investigation of multi-component powder and crystalline solid properties. 

You will work in an interdisciplinary research group and interact both with academic and industry partners. You will have the opportunity to disseminate the work in conferences and journal publications.

What we are looking for:

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Hold an MRes, MSc, MEng or equivalent in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience.
• Practical experience in some of the following: crystallisation, solubility measurements, microscopy, spectroscopic techniques, microscopy, electron microscopy, spectroscopy techniques, and particle synthesis.
• Practical experience in relevant research areas (peptide/protein crystallisation, nucleation and crystallisation, crystal characterisation, materials characterisation, etc.).
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary and diverse team.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to join an internationally leading surfaces and particle engineering group.
• The opportunity to develop your skills in particle synthesis, crystallisation and powder characterisation.
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

Further Information

The contract will run for 36 months, with the option for either full time or part time employment.

The expected start date is around April 2025, although there is some flexibility on this.

The candidate is also expected to go on a short placement to our project collaborators elsewhere in Europe.

To apply, please click the 'Apply' button, above.

Further information about the post is available in the job description.

Should you have any queries about the application process please contact chemeng.staffing@imperial.ac.uk

Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 23 March 2025

For technical issues when applying online please email support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk

Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment. We are an Athena SWAN Silver award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and work in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.

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