Research Assistant/Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in Cambridge is seeking a post-doctoral researcher to investigate the molecular mechanisms regulating the activity of lysins involved in Bacillus spore germination. The role involves protein crystallography, high-throughput screening, and collaboration with a partner university to validate findings. Applicants should have a PhD in molecular microbiology or structural biology, with skills in molecular cloning and recombinant protein work. This is a fixed-term position for 3 years.

Qualifications

• PhD in molecular microbiology or structural biology.
• Expertise in molecular cloning and recombinant protein expression/purification is essential.
• Experience in protein crystallography or related structural biology disciplines is highly desirable.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration values, good administrative and interpersonal skills, and high computer literacy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct protein crystallography and microbiological analyses to study molecular mechanisms.
• Perform high-throughput fragment-based screens to assess ligandability.
• Collaborate with the University of Leeds to integrate findings.
• Test predictions by site-directed mutagenesis and functional analyses.

Job description

Overview

Applications are invited for a Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) funded post-doctoral position in Dr Graham Christie's lab within the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology.

The project will combine protein crystallography with in vivo microbiological analyses to yield insight into the molecular mechanisms that regulate the activity of the major peptidoglycan lysin involved in Bacillus spp. spore germination (https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.001591). Crystallography will also be used to conduct high-throughput fragment-based screens aimed at establishing whether the lysin of interest is ligandable and therefore potentially amenable to structure-led inhibition.

The appointed PDRA will liaise closely with a second PDRA working under the supervision of Dr Antreas Kali at the University of Leeds, whose objective is to conduct Molecular Dynamics simulations aimed at examining structural changes to protein complexes of interest during spore germination. The Cambridge PDRA will then test the MD predictions by site-directed mutagenesis and in vivo functional analyses.

Responsibilities

• Conduct protein crystallography and in vivo microbiological analyses to study molecular mechanisms regulating the lysin involved in Bacillus spore germination.
• Perform high-throughput fragment-based screens to assess ligandability and potential for structure-led inhibition.
• Collaborate with the University of Leeds team to integrate molecular dynamics findings with experimental validation.
• Test MD predictions by site-directed mutagenesis and in vivo functional analyses.

Qualifications

• PhD in molecular microbiology or structural biology.
• Expertise in molecular cloning and recombinant protein expression/purification is essential.
• Experience in protein crystallography or related structural biology disciplines is highly desirable (training may be provided).
• Strong teamwork and collaboration values, good administrative and interpersonal skills, and high computer literacy related to bioinformatics and structural biology tools.

Appointment and Term

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD; those without a PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level. 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: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

How to Apply

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Mr Vito Candela, HR Administrator, at [e-mail].

Applications closing date 3rd of October 2025.

Please quote reference NQ47252 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Equality and Eligibility

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.