13282 - Postdoctoral Research Associate in Engineering Biology for Bio-Upcycling Plastic Waste

University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Edinburgh seeks two postdoctoral researchers for a project focused on microbial valorisation of plastic waste and sustainable plastics. Ideal candidates should have experience in metabolic pathway design, microbial fermentation, and analytical chemistry techniques. Full-time positions are available but part-time and flexible working patterns will be considered.

Qualifications

• Experience in the design and engineering of de novo metabolic pathways in bacteria.
• Experience in microbial fermentation process.
• Experience in organic chemistry, chemical synthesis, or chemical biology.
• Experience in the use of analytical chemistry techniques to quantify fermentation end-products.

Responsibilities

• Pioneer microbial and biocatalytic routes to transform plastic waste into high-value products.
• Develop defossilized monomer platforms for sustainable materials.

Skills

Design and engineering of metabolic pathways

Microbial fermentation process

Organic chemistry

Analytical chemistry techniques

Job description

Overview

UE07: £41,064.00 - £48,822.00 Per Annum.

School of Biological Sciences, College of Science & Engineering
The Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Full Time (35hrs per week). Fixed Term (24 months). Number of posts: 2.

The Opportunity: Two postdoctoral researcher positions are available within the P3EB Engineering Biology Mission Hub as part of the Wallace Lab at the University of Edinburgh, focused on the microbial valorisation of plastic waste and the biosynthesis of next-generation sustainable plastics monomers. Working at the intersection of engineering biology, metabolic engineering, and sustainable materials science, you will help pioneer microbial and biocatalytic routes to transform plastic waste into high-value industrial products and to develop defossilized monomer platforms that underpin circular, sustainable materials for the future.

This post is advertised as full-time (35 hours per week), however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

Note: This description preserves the original language and context.

Qualifications

• Experience in the design and engineering of de novo metabolic pathways in bacteria
• Experience in microbial fermentation process
• Experience in organic chemistry, chemical synthesis, or chemical biology
• Experience in the use of analytical chemistry techniques to quantify fermentation end-products