Research Associate in structural biology of bacterial secretion systems

TN United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking institution as a Research Associate in structural biology, focusing on bacterial secretion systems. This role offers the opportunity to lead your own project, utilizing cutting-edge techniques like cryo-electron microscopy and TIRF microscopy. You will work in a collaborative and inclusive lab environment, supported by a generous salary and benefits package, including 39 days off per year. Engage in significant research that contributes to advancing science for humanity while enjoying career growth opportunities and access to world-class facilities.

Benefits

39 days off per year

Generous pension scheme

Opportunities to attend conferences

Access to world-class facilities

Career growth opportunities

Inclusive work culture

Qualifications

• PhD in structural biology required, with expertise in cryo-EM or X-ray crystallography.
• Experience in designing workflows for protein structure determination.

Responsibilities

• Lead your own project on bacterial secretion systems and protein purification.
• Utilize structural biology techniques for protein dynamics analysis.

Skills

Cryo-electron microscopy

X-ray crystallography

NMR

Molecular biology techniques

Protein purification

Structural data processing

Education

PhD in Structural Biology

Tools

TIRF microscopy

Single-molecule FRET

Job description

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Research Associate in structural biology of bacterial secretion systems, London

Client: Imperial College London

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Category: Education

EU work permit required: Yes

Job Reference:

e71c5c615744

Job Views:

11

Posted:

26.04.2025

Expiry Date:

10.06.2025

Job Description:

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated structural biologist to join the group of Dr Harry Low, Department of Infectious Disease. The research project focuses on determining the molecular mechanism of bacterial secretion systems including the Tad and Type 4 pilus systems. The position is funded by a long-term Wellcome Trust Discovery award.

You will lead your own project, working from initial clones through to protein purification, structure determination, and biochemical/biophysical mechanistic dissection. You will work on challenging multi-component membrane complexes both in vitro and in cell. Methodologies will include structural biology techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy (SPA and tomography), and TIRF microscopy combined with single-molecule FRET to probe protein dynamics.

• You should have a PhD in structural biology, with expertise in cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, or NMR.

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £43,003 - £46,297 per annum

• Experience in designing and executing workflows for protein structure determination, including molecular biology/biochemical experiments (DNA cloning, mutagenesis, protein purification), and structural data collection, processing, and model building.
• Experience in cryo-EM workflows, including sample preparation, data collection, and processing, is essential.
• Experience in light microscopy studies is desirable.
• You must have a strong research track record, demonstrated by at least one first-author publication in an international journal or bioRxiv.
• Join an inclusive, friendly, and ambitious lab environment that supports your mission to make significant discoveries and publish world-class research.
• Work in a well-funded lab with access to world-class facilities.
• Opportunities to attend national and international conferences to showcase your work and expand your academic network.
• Potential to continue your career at a world-leading institution and contribute to our mission to advance science for humanity.
• Career growth opportunities, including access to Imperial’s sector-leading training and promotion pathways.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, including 39 days off per year and a generous pension scheme.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work culture with resources to support your personal and professional development.