Research Associate / Senior Research Associate in de novo peptide and protein design

The role

A post-doctoral position is available to develop new peptides and proteins to manipulate, target and probe the mechanisms that underpin intracellular transport by microtubule motors. This BBSRC-funded post is available for 4 years.  It is in the protein design laboratory of Prof Dek Woolfson (Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bristol), and in collaboration with Prof Mark Dodding’s molecular cell biology lab at the School of Biochemistry.  The appointed post-doc would design de novo peptides and proteins using a combination of rational design and computational design and protein biochemistry.

What will you be doing?

Specifically, the work will develop proteins and peptides that modulate the cargo recognition and autoregulatory features of the kinesin-1 family of microtubule motors (summarised in Weijman et al. Science Advances, 2022, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abp9660). The appointee will aim to design reagents that can, boost, inhibit or redirect the trafficking of specific cargoes (building on Cross et al. Nature Chemical Biology 2024, DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01640-2; and Rhys et al. Nature Chemical Biology 2022, DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01076-6). We anticipate that this will provide new tools for deeper mechanistic understanding of intracellular transport and also identify targets for the augmentation of intracellular transport where it is impaired in neurological disease.  A key avenue to be explored includes the design of cell-permeable peptides that can control the conformational state and cargo-recognition mechanisms, and so the activity, of endogenous kinesin-1.

You should apply if

The position would be suited to a talented and ambitious early career researcher with an interest in applying de protein design in cell biology.  Essential skills for the role include experience with the design or engineering and production of natural or de novo proteins; and the biophysical or structural characterisation of proteins.  Experience in computational protein design would be an advantage; however, neither of these are essential skills for applicants at this stage, and we encourage applicants with an interest in intracellular transport who have a demonstrable interest in engaging with new and emerging protein design approaches.

As the work will be in collaboration with Prof Mark Dodding, there will be opportunities for training in cell and structural biology techniques to test your designs, including advanced cell imaging using light and electron microscopy. In general, the appointee will be expected to work seamlessly between the two labs to maximise opportunities for inter-disciplinary research.

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding until 31/03/2029

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 01/05/2025

Interviews are anticipated to place either w/c 19th or 26th May 2025

For informal queries, please contact : d.n.woolfson@bristol.ac.uk and/or mark.dodding@bristol.ac.uk

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