Postdoctoral Researcher (Salem Group)

LLOYD'S REGISTER INTERNATIONAL; Colney; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

John Innes Centre invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Salem Group in the Department of Molecular Microbiology. This ERC-funded position focuses on functional and structural characterization of host-symbiont proteins in beetles.

The role involves cloning, expression and purification of candidate proteins, enzymology, X-ray crystallography or Cryo-EM, computational analysis with AlphaFold and PyMOL, and dissemination through publications and conferences.

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent) in biochemistry, structural biology, protein chemistry, or molecular biology
• Experience with recombinant protein expression and purification in bacterial and/or insect cell systems
• Experience with enzymology and enzyme kinetics assays
• Experience with X-ray crystallography or other structural biology techniques (e.g., cryo-EM, NMR) with knowledge of structure-determination software (e.g., Phenix, Coot) desirable
• Experience with mass spectrometry-based proteomics
• Familiarity with computational structural biology tools (e.g., AlphaFold, PyMOL, Rosetta)
• Strong computational skills for biochemical and structural data analysis (R and/or Python)
• Demonstrated ability to develop independent, hypothesis-driven research at the biochemistry-evolution interface

Responsibilities

• Clone, express, purify proteins underlying obligate symbiosis
• Perform biochemical and kinetic assays to characterize enzyme activity
• Solve protein structures by X-ray crystallography or Cryo-EM; use AlphaFold for comparisons
• Apply site-directed mutagenesis to identify residues
• Use MS-based proteomics to profile proteins
• Integrate data to relate enzyme architecture to symbiotic function
• Disseminate results via preprints, publications, conferences; mentor students

Skills

Recombinant protein expression

Enzymology

X-ray crystallography

Cryo-EM

Mass spectrometry

AlphaFold

PyMOL

Rosetta

R/Python

Independent research

Education

PhD in biochemistry/structural biology/protein chemistry/molecular biology

Tools

Phenix

Coot

AlphaFold

PyMOL

Rosetta

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher (Salem Group)

An opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the newly appointed group of Dr Hassan Salem at the John Innes Centre in the Department of Molecular Microbiology. This post is funded by a European Research Council (ERC) grant.

About the Salem Group

The Salem Group studies the evolution, function, and adaptive consequences of herbivore–microbe symbioses. Our research focuses on how extracellular bacterial symbionts upgrade host digestive physiology, enable dietary specialization, thereby facilitating herbivory.

The Role

The candidate will investigate the biochemical and structural characterization of host traits and proteins central to symbiosis in beetles.

This role will include:

• Cloning, heterologously expressing (in E. coli and insect cell lines), and purifying proteins underlying obligate symbiosis.
• Performing biochemical and kinetic assays, including DNS assays, thin layer chromatography, and substrate-binding assays, to characterize enzyme activity and specificity.
• Solving protein structures by X-ray crystallography or Cryo-EM and applying computational structure prediction tools (e.g., AlphaFold) to compare host- and symbiont-encoded proteins.
• Applying site-directed mutagenesis to identify residues underlying functional divergence.
• Applying mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches to profile symbiont-secreted and host secreted proteins.
• Integrating structural, biochemical, and evolutionary data to relate enzyme architecture to symbiotic function.
• Disseminating results through preprints, publications, conference presentations, and mentoring of students.

The ideal Candidate

You will have a PhD (or equivalent) in biochemistry, structural biology, protein chemistry, or molecular biology, or a related discipline.

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience with recombinant protein expression and purification, in bacterial and/or insect cell systems.
• Experience with enzymology and enzyme kinetics assays.
• Experience with X-ray crystallography or other structural biology techniques (e.g., cryo-EM, NMR); familiarity with structure determination software (e.g., Phenix, Coot) is desirable.
• Experience with mass spectrometry-based proteomics.
• Familiarity with computational structural biology tools (e.g., AlphaFold, PyMOL, Rosetta).
• Strong computational skills for biochemical and structural data analysis (preferably R and/or Python).
• Demonstrated ability to develop independent, hypothesis-driven research at the interface of biochemistry and evolution.

You will also have excellent communication skills, experience mentoring students or visitors, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application.

Where the successful applicant requires a visa, we will fund the costs for their visa and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity. As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.