Postdoc: Metabolic Modelling for Engineered Red Blood Cells

City of Bristol College; Clifton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Bristol is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead genome-scale metabolic modelling for red blood cell engineering. You will work within the Aerobic Engineering Biology programme, collaborating with researchers from Bristol, Northwestern University and industrial partners to engineer RBCs that sense and respond to metabolic environments.

You will develop and apply genome-scale models, integrate engineered circuits into metabolic frameworks, and work with experimentalists

Qualifications

• PhD (or near completion) in mathematics, bioengineering, engineering biology, bioinformatics, biotechnology or a closely related discipline.
• Strong mathematical modelling and programming skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with experimental scientists.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to publish high-quality research.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine genome-scale metabolic models of reticulocytes and mature red blood cells using published knowledge and experimental data.
• Build mathematical models of engineered gene and enzyme circuits and integrate these into broader metabolic modelling frameworks.
• Analyse metabolomics and other experimental datasets to investigate metabolic changes during red blood cell maturation and engineering.
• Collaborate closely with experimental researchers at the University of Bristol and Northwestern University to validate models and optimise synthetic circuit design.
• Work with academic collaborators, industrial partners and the wider research consortium to advance project objectives.
• Maintain accurate records of code, computational models and research outputs to support reproducible research.
• Contribute to monthly project progress reports and dissemination of research findings through high-quality publications.

Skills

Genome-scale metabolic modelling

Mathematical modelling

Programming

Collaborative work with experimental

Communication skills

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

University of Bristol is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead genome-scale metabolic modelling for red blood cell engineering. You will work within the Aerobic Engineering Biology programme, collaborating with researchers from Bristol, Northwestern University and industrial partners to engineer RBCs that sense and respond to metabolic environments.

You will develop and apply genome-scale models, integrate engineered circuits into metabolic frameworks, and work with experimentalists