Research Associate – Single‑Molecule Biophysics

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave

Flexible working

Generous pension

Discounts and rewards

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a highly motivated scientist to join the School of Biosciences on a full-time, fixed-term 3-year post in biochemistry/biophysics. The role emphasizes single-molecule biophysics and the study of electron transfer complexes.

The successful candidate will design and execute smAFM experiments, purify membrane protein supercomplexes, apply complementary biophysical methods, and collaborate with international partners, contributing to high-impact publications and

Qualifications

• PhD (or near completion) in biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, plant sciences, microbiology, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute and analyze smAFM experiments to quantify binding probabilities, unbinding forces and turnover rates of electron carrier proteins.
• Purify membrane protein supercomplexes from diverse sources and collaborate with international partners.
• Apply complementary biophysical methods (mass photometry, MST, spectroscopy) to characterize protein interactions and kinetics.
• Design site-directed mutants of subunits and assess effects on binding/turnover.
• Engineer artificial supercomplexes in Chlamydomonas using CRISPR-Cas9 and perform Cryo-EM characterization.

Skills

Protein biochemistry

Cryo-EM

Biophysics methods

Single-molecule biophysics

Communications

Education

PhD in biochemistry / biophysics / structural biology

Tools

Cryo-EM

Job description

The University of Sheffield is seeking a highly motivated scientist to join the School of Biosciences on a full-time, fixed-term 3-year post in biochemistry/biophysics. The role emphasizes single-molecule biophysics and the study of electron transfer complexes.

The successful candidate will design and execute smAFM experiments, purify membrane protein supercomplexes, apply complementary biophysical methods, and collaborate with international partners, contributing to high-impact publications and