Postdoctoral Research Associate In Antibody Engineering And Directed Evolution

Imperial College London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

43 days off per year

Generous pension scheme

Collaborative work culture

Job summary

Imperial College London in London, UK invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Antibody Engineering and Directed Evolution to advance its antibody-engineering platform. The role sits at the interface of computational design and in vitro experiments, contributing to developability, affinity and functionality.

You will build and screen antibody and nanobody libraries, run selection campaigns, and analyze deep sequencing data to relate features to properties.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Bioengineering or a related discipline, with a focus on protein engineering.
• Practical experience in molecular biology and in vitro directed evolution (e.g., yeast or ribosome display).
• Practical experience in deep sequencing and associated data analysis.
• Knowledge of protein science and structural bioinformatics; ability to manipulate protein sequences and structural data.
• Collaborative teamwork and clear communication of complex ideas.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen the experimental pipeline by integrating high-throughput directed evolution with deep sequencing and data-driven analysis.
• Build and screen antibody and nanobody libraries; plan and run selection campaigns.
• Analyze sequencing data to relate molecular features to measured properties; feed insights into computational models.
• Collaborate with group members and external labs; publish in journals and present at meetings; supervise PhD/Master's students.

Skills

Molecular biology

Directed evolution

Data analysis

Collaborative teamwork

Communication

Interdisciplinary research

Education

PhD in Biochemistry / Molecular Biology / Chemistry / Bioengineering or related

Tools

Yeast display

Ribosome display

Structural bioinformatics

Protein sequence manipulation

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Antibody Engineering and Directed Evolution Imperial College London•London, GB

Do you want to combine high-throughput directed evolution with machine-learning analysis of deep sequencing data to engineer better antibodies? The Sormanni Lab in the Department of Chemical Engineering is looking for a motivated and talented Postdoctoral Research Associate in Antibody Engineering and Directed Evolution to advance its antibody-engineering platform.

Sitting at the interface between computational design and in vitro experiments, the team has developed multiple in silico and in vitro methods to design novel antibodies and nanobodies as diagnostic or therapeutic agents and research tools.

In this role, you will mainly focus on strengthening our experimental pipeline: integrating in vitro high-throughput directed evolution techniques, including yeast and ribosome display, with deep sequencing and data-driven analysis. The ultimate goal will be to better comprehend the link between developability, affinity and functionality.

You will build and screen antibody and nanobody libraries, plan and run selection campaigns, and analyse the resulting sequencing data to relate molecular features to measured properties. Your measurements will feed directly into the computational models developed in the group, and you will help decide which predictions to test next.

You will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with group members and external labs, to publish in high-quality journals and present your findings at national and international meetings, and to contribute to the supervision of PhD and Masters students.

• A PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Bioengineering or a related discipline, with a focus on protein engineering.
• Practical experience in molecular biology and in vitro directed evolution, for example yeast or ribosome display.
• Practical experience in deep sequencing and the associated data analysis.
• Knowledge of protein science and structural bioinformatics, including the ability to manipulate protein sequences and structural data.
• Collaborative teamwork skills and the ability to communicate complex scientific ideas clearly and concisely.
• Work at the interface of experiment and computation, in a group that designs antibodies and nanobodies in silico and tests them in house, with established academic and industrial collaborations.
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• As a member of research staff you have to use to develop your skills and explore your career prospects.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 43 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various and resources to support your personal and professional .

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £45,399–£48,876 per annum.

Full-time

The Pitch - It’s a fun job with a genuinely exceptional team.You'll engage with deep-tech pioneers in leading laboratories and startups around the world, while advising R&D organisations and govern