Biosynthesis Engineer: Streptomyces & CRISPR (Biochem/Microbio)

Opportunita; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

43 days leave

Pension schemes

Flexible working

Facilities access

Job summary

Imperial College London’s Moore group in Life Sciences seeks a Research Associate in Biochemistry or Microbiology to develop new-to-nature antifungal natural products using Streptomyces. You will design biosynthetic pathways, edit genomes with CRISPR-Cas9, and scale production from shake flasks to bioreactors.

This fixed-term 36-month position starts between January and March 2027. A PhD and strong molecular biology skills are required, with a package including 43 days of annual leave, pension

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, chemical biology or closely related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Strong research track record with first-author publications preferred.
• Experience in molecular biology and bacterial genetic engineering.
• Experience with Streptomyces or actinobacteria advantageous.
• Experience in bioprocess development and microbial fermentation.
• Experience in recombinant protein expression and enzyme assays.
• Excellent written and oral communication; capable of independent work.
• Mentoring junior researchers or collaboration with industry/projects.
• Experience with analytical techniques (HPLC/LC-MS) desirable.

Responsibilities

• DNA and strain engineering: construct plasmids, introduce into Streptomyces, edit genomes via CRISPR-Cas9 or directed evolution.
• Bioreactor cultivation: scale production from shake flasks to high-cell-density bioreactors with fed-batch protocols.
• Biochemistry: express and purify biosynthetic enzymes, develop assays, and analyze products by HPLC/LC-MS/NMR.
• Contribute to meetings, publications, and grant writing; supervise undergraduate and master's students.

Skills

Molecular biology

Bacterial genetic engineering

CRISPR-Cas9

Streptomyces engineering

Bioprocess development

Fermentation

Protein expression & assays

Communication skills

Mentoring juniors

Grant writing

Education

PhD in biochemistry/chemical biology or related field

Tools

CRISPR-Cas9 editing

DNA assembly & cloning

HPLC/LC-MS

Genome editing techniques

Job description

Imperial College London’s Moore group in Life Sciences seeks a Research Associate in Biochemistry or Microbiology to develop new-to-nature antifungal natural products using Streptomyces. You will design biosynthetic pathways, edit genomes with CRISPR-Cas9, and scale production from shake flasks to bioreactors.

This fixed-term 36-month position starts between January and March 2027. A PhD and strong molecular biology skills are required, with a package including 43 days of annual leave, pension