Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The BioNano Engineering group at the University of Cambridge, led by Prof. Ljiljana Fruk, seeks a postdoctoral research associate for a multidisciplinary programme across Cambridge departments, combining protein-guided mineral growth with microdroplet reactions to create hierarchical functional materials.

The appointee will design and express proteins, explore protein-nanocrystal interfaces, and work with colleagues to scale formulations from discovery to print-ready material.

Qualifications

• PhD required or submitted for Research Associate level.
• Strong hands-on experience with protein design and expression.
• Experience with protein-mineral interfaces is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design, select and express proteins to guide mineral growth.
• Explore protein–nanocrystal interfaces and nucleation processes.
• Collaborate to scale formulations from discovery to production.

Skills

Protein design

Protein expression

Nanocrystal nucleation

Biomineralization

Flow chemistry

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

The BioNano Engineering group headed by Prof. Ljiljana Fruk (fruk-lab.com) is looking for an outstanding postdoctoral research associate for a multidisciplinary programme across multiple Cambridge departments combining protein-guided mineral growth with controlled microdroplet reactions, flow and digital deposition to create hierarchical functional materials. The first target of the programme is direct-to-shape rare-earth-free magnetic materials, reducing on critical minerals and material waste; later work may extend the platform to advance battery cathodes, subject to programme stage gates. This job is part of an Advanced Research&Invention Agency-funded project, subject to contract negotiations.

The researcher will have primary scientific ownership of protein design including the introduction of protein-nanocrystal binding motif, protein selection and expression, as well as the exploration of protein-mineral/protein-nanocrystal interface. They will build and refine diverse panel of engineered, recombinant and abundant proteins to enable nucleation and alignement of nanocrystals. Together with other colleagues on the project, they will also establish quantitative assays and controls to understand binding, nucleation, self-assembly and anisotropic organisation. The work will link with the broader team to progress from discovery and down-selection to print-ready formulations, process integration, supply and storage, and standard operating procedure for scale up.

The primary challenge addressed by this cross-disciplinary project is the need for more effective and sustainable manufacturing of highly valuable functional materials. The appointee will work particularly closely with colleagues with expertise in biomineralisation, nanocrystal synthesis, droplet and flow chemistry, printing, advanced characterisation, battery research and Ai-enabled process control.

The Specific Objectives Of The Post Are

• Protein design/assembly and nanocrystal nucleation. Design and selection of approximately 12-20 candidate proteins to enable controlled growth of nanoparticles either through protein engineering or protein assembly. These proteins will include MmS/MaM-inspired mineral binding interfaces, and self-assembled 3D structures of abundant proteins such as casein, whey, and zein, to be used for ferrite structure growth.
• Experimental screening, validation and down selection of the most suitable protein candidates including binding, nucleation, growth, aggregation and anisotropic alignment of nanostructures. Engineered proteins will be compared to abundant, available alternatives.
• Collaboration to scale protein production and formulation, biomineralization, printing and scale up.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Fixed-term full time employment: The funding is for 18 months at first instance. There is additional 18 month funding if the project team meets the required project objectives.

Please quote reference NQ50520 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.