Research Associate in Mycobacterial Biochemistry & Microbiology

University of York; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

University of York in York, United Kingdom invites applications for a Research Associate in Mycobacterial Biochemistry & Microbiology. The role focuses on Mycobacterium tuberculosis and related bacteria, leveraging bioenergetics expertise and spectroscopy to study responses to antibiotics such as Q203 and bedaquiline.

The postdoc/PDRA will join the York Bioenergetics Lab to advance ongoing projects, publish findings, and train students while collaborating with colleagues across biochemistry and

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in biochemistry, microbiology, or related area.
• PhD in biochemistry, biophysics, bacteriology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of bioenergetics, biochemistry, and microbiology.
• Experience of culturing and genetically modifying bacteria, ideally mycobacteria.
• Experience of protein purification, ideally of membrane proteins.
• Ability and experience to develop research objectives, carry out individual and collaborative projects, planning and prioritising own work to meet deadlines.
• Highly motivated and professional with collaborative work ethic, committed to high quality research and a willingness to proactively support colleagues and students.
• Have, or will shortly have, published rigorous scientific findings and the ability to explain how these findings advance their field.

Responsibilities

• Continue our bioenergetics research on mycobacteria and responses to antibiotics.
• Utilize spectroscopy to measure cytochromes and study cellular responses in vivo.
• Collaborate with colleagues and support students in high-quality research.

Skills

Bioenergetics

Biochemistry

Microbiology

Bacterial culture

Genetic modification

Protein purification

Membrane proteins

Project planning

Independent work

Team player

Research integrity

Scientific publications

Education

Undergraduate degree in biochemistry, microbiology, or related area

PhD in biochemistry, biophysics, bacteriology, or a related field, or equivalent experience

Job description

Research Associate in Mycobacterial Biochemistry & Microbiology

University of York

York, United Kingdom

GBP 37,694 - 46,049 per year

The York Bioenergetics Lab (bioenergetics.site) works to understand how bacteria transduce energy to maintain themselves, grow, and power processes such as infection or biotransformation. The Lab is seeking a PDRA to further its research into Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the wider mycobacteria group. M. tuberculosis is the world’s deadliest pathogen, causing devastating disease for which treatments are poorly tolerated and extended in duration; additionally, antibiotic resistance is growing.

The lab uses remission spectroscopy to measure the electron occupancy of cytochromes as they power cells in vivo, allowing the response of the cells to new bioenergetic-targeting antibiotics to be measured (e.g. Harrison et al., 2025, Nature Communications). Supporting spectroscopy, the lab uses extensive membrane protein biochemistry and cryo-EM.

The PDRA will continue our work leveraging our bioenergetic expertise to understand how mycobacteria are affected by new antibiotics such as Q203, bedaquiline, and derivatives. Several projects are now at an advanced state and ready to be progressed to completion.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed

• Undergraduate degree in biochemistry, microbiology, or related area
• PhD in biochemistry, biophysics, bacteriology, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of bioenergetics, biochemistry, and microbiology
• Experience of culturing and genetically modifying bacteria, ideally mycobacteria
• Experience of protein purification, ideally of membrane proteins
• Ability and experience to develop research objectives, carry out individual and collaborative projects, planning and prioritising own work to meet deadlines
• Highly motivated and professional with collaborative work ethic, committed to high quality research and a willingness to proactively support colleagues and students
• Have, or will shortly have, published rigorous scientific findings and the ability to explain how these findings advance their field

Deadline: 11 November