Research Associate in Biochemistry/Microbiology

Opportunita; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

43 days leave

Pension schemes

Flexible working

Facilities access

Job summary

Imperial College London’s Moore group in Life Sciences seeks a Research Associate in Biochemistry or Microbiology to develop new-to-nature antifungal natural products using Streptomyces. You will design biosynthetic pathways, edit genomes with CRISPR-Cas9, and scale production from shake flasks to bioreactors.

This fixed-term 36-month position starts between January and March 2027. A PhD and strong molecular biology skills are required, with a package including 43 days of annual leave, pension

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, chemical biology or closely related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Strong research track record with first-author publications preferred.
• Experience in molecular biology and bacterial genetic engineering.
• Experience with Streptomyces or actinobacteria advantageous.
• Experience in bioprocess development and microbial fermentation.
• Experience in recombinant protein expression and enzyme assays.
• Excellent written and oral communication; capable of independent work.
• Mentoring junior researchers or collaboration with industry/projects.
• Experience with analytical techniques (HPLC/LC-MS) desirable.

Responsibilities

• DNA and strain engineering: construct plasmids, introduce into Streptomyces, edit genomes via CRISPR-Cas9 or directed evolution.
• Bioreactor cultivation: scale production from shake flasks to high-cell-density bioreactors with fed-batch protocols.
• Biochemistry: express and purify biosynthetic enzymes, develop assays, and analyze products by HPLC/LC-MS/NMR.
• Contribute to meetings, publications, and grant writing; supervise undergraduate and master's students.

Skills

Molecular biology

Bacterial genetic engineering

CRISPR-Cas9

Streptomyces engineering

Bioprocess development

Fermentation

Protein expression & assays

Communication skills

Mentoring juniors

Grant writing

Education

PhD in biochemistry/chemical biology or related field

Tools

CRISPR-Cas9 editing

DNA assembly & cloning

HPLC/LC-MS

Genome editing techniques

Job description

Imperial College London seeks a Research Associate in Biochemistry or Microbiology for the Moore group within the Department of Life Sciences. This full-time role focuses on developing new-to-nature antifungal natural products using Streptomyces bacteria to address crop pathogen threats and food security issues. The position involves designing engineered biosynthetic pathways, editing genomes via CRISPR-Cas9, and scaling production from shake flasks to bioreactors. Candidates require a PhD in biochemistry or related fields, with essential experience in molecular biology and bacterial genetic engineering. Desirable skills include Streptomyces engineering and bioprocess development. The salary ranges from £50,733 to £52,675 per annum. Benefits include 43 days of annual leave, pension schemes, flexible working, and access to state-of-the-art facilities at the London Biofoundry. The contract is fixed-term for 36 months, starting between January and March 2027.

About the role

The Moore group at Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to help develop new-to-nature antifungal natural products using Streptomyces bacteria. You will design and build engineered biosynthetic pathways, edit Streptomyces genomes, and scale production from shake flask to bioreactor, working alongside a collaborative team spanning microbial engineering, fermentation and analytical chemistry.

Fungal and oomycete pathogens cause major crop losses and threaten UK and global food security, and growers have few chemical options because many are being withdrawn due to toxicity, and developmental fungicides typically degrade quickly in sunlight or soil. This project uses biosynthesis to access new-to-nature natural products with specific activity against crop pathogens and improved stability. The project will also involve co-supervision with Prof Tolga Bozkurt, an expert in plant-microbial interactions within the Department of Life Sciences, as well as Dr Marko Storch at the London Biofoundry.

You will join a diverse, collaborative group working on both basic and applied natural product biosynthesis, alongside postdoctoral colleagues on a parallel international project researching marine natural products, while the group also has regular visiting researchers from Brazil, South Korea and Europe. We encourage applicants with a strong background in some, though not necessarily all, of DNA and strain engineering, bioreactor cultivation and protein biochemistry to apply, as training will be provided. The group is also supportive of your own career development, whether towards an academic fellowship or an industry-facing route.

What you would be doing

Your day-to-day work will centre on three areas. First, DNA and strain engineering: designing and cloning plasmid libraries, introducing them into Streptomyces by conjugation, and editing the genome with CRISPR-Cas9 or directed evolution approaches to build production strains. Second, bioreactor cultivation: scaling production from shake flask to high-cell-density bioreactor conditions and developing fed-batch protocols, with access to mass spectrometry and proteomics facilities at the London Biofoundry for compound and protein analysis. Third, biochemistry: expressing and purifying biosynthetic enzymes and designing assays to characterise their activity, alongside purification and analysis of the resulting natural products by HPLC, LC-MS and NMR. You will also contribute to lab meetings, publications and grant writing, and will have opportunities to help supervise undergraduate and master's students.

What we are looking for

• A PhD in biochemistry, chemical biology or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience.
• A strong research track record, preferably with first-author publications in international journals.
• Experience in molecular biology and bacterial genetic engineering, including DNA assembly, cloning and strain construction.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to organise your own work and prioritise with minimal supervision.
• Experience in the genetic engineering of Streptomyces or other actinobacteria, including CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and the heterologous expression of biosynthetic gene clusters.
• Experience in microbial fermentation or bioprocess development, including bioreactor cultivation.
• Experience in recombinant protein expression, purification and enzyme assay design.
• Experience mentoring junior researchers, or working with industry partners or on patent applications. We encourage applicants with a strong background in some, though not all, of these areas to apply, as training in the remaining techniques will be provided.
• Experience in analytical techniques such as HPLC or LC-MS for the analysis of small molecules.

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 43 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing .

Further information

This is a position available for 36 months with a negotiable start date (Jan-Mar 2027). Appointments will usually be made at the start of the salary scale dependent on experience.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Simon Moore ([e-mail]).

Good to know

2 notes on terms in this opportunity, checked against published references.

Questions about the role

Contact office Department of Life Sciences