Technician in Protein Biochemistry and Molecular Glue Discovery

Imperial Enterprise; London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Imperial College London seeks a skilled Technician in Protein Biochemistry to join the Tate group. You will express, purify and characterise recombinant proteins using mammalian cell expression to support molecular glue discovery projects.

The role includes developing biochemical or biophysical assays, assisting in day-to-day lab operations, maintaining equipment, ordering consumables and training new users within a multidisciplinary team spanning chemical biology, proteomics and medicinal

Qualifications

• Minimum of a BSc and/or MSc in biochemistry, chemical biology, biotechnology, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, protein purification and characterisation.
• Knowledge of data analysis and safe laboratory practices.

Responsibilities

• Express and purify recombinant proteins using mammalian cell expression.
• Characterise proteins biochemically/biophysically.
• Support lab operations, equipment maintenance, and training of new users.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Protein purification

Data analysis

Education

BSc/MSc in biochemistry or related

Tools

Expi293 system

HEK293 expression

Job description

Technician in Protein Biochemistry and Molecular Glue Discovery

We are seeking a talented technician to join the team in the group of Professor Ed Tate at Imperial College London. This role will support the production and characterisation of recombinant proteins for molecular glue discovery. The position is available full time, starting in January 2027 (or as soon as possible thereafter, with flexibility to start earlier).

Molecular glues are an emerging class of small molecules which induce or stabilise protein-protein interactions, creating new opportunities to modulate biological processes and tackle ‘undruggable’ targets through induced proximity. Despite growing interest in the field, there remain limited approaches for the systematic discovery of molecular glues. As a result, there is a need for scalable and generalisable molecular glue discovery platforms that enable target proteins and compound libraries to be screened across the proteome.

To support these efforts, we are establishing workflows for the production and characterisation of recombinant proteins for use in proteomic, biochemical, biophysical and cell-based assays. The successful candidate will play a central role in generating high-quality protein reagents and supporting downstream studies that underpin molecular glue discovery.

What you would be doing

Your role will focus on the expression, purification and characterisation of recombinant proteins using mammalian cell expression to support molecular glue discovery projects. You may also contribute to the development of biochemical or biophysical assays using these proteins. You will be contributing to a dynamic and ambitious research programme, working in a multidisciplinary team spanning chemical biology, proteomics and medicinal chemistry. In addition to your core activities, you will support the day-to-day running of the laboratory. This includes maintaining equipment, purchasing and organising consumables, disposal of biohazard and chemical waste, participating in laboratory duty rotas, and providing introductory training for new users.

The Tate group is culturally diverse and highly multidisciplinary, with project teams encompassing scientists at all levels of experience and from a variety of backgrounds (chemical biology, cell biology, proteomics, cancer biology, drug discovery, etc.). Technicians are expected to engage in the various projects across the Tate group and offer support on an ad-hoc basis as required outside of their core projects. We are looking for candidates who can thrive in this dynamic and creative environment and take optimal advantage of the many training opportunities it provides.

What we are looking for

Essential criteria for the role include:

• A minimum of a BSc and/or MSc qualification in biochemistry, chemical biology, biotechnology, or a closely related field, or an equivalent level of professional qualifications and experience.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, protein purification and characterisation
• Knowledge of, data analysis, and safe laboratory working practices.

Desirable experience for this role includes one or more of the following: experience with HEK293, Expi293 or related mammalian expression systems; biochemical or biophysical assay development; experience with plate-based assays; experience of ternary-complex formation assays; relevant laboratory management; knowledge of the molecular glue field.

What we can offer you

Working within the Tate group would give you the opportunity to work with >60 scientists at all levels from undergraduates to postdoctoral researchers with our state-of-the-art labs in West London, including the Agilent Measurement Suite and Imperial Drug Discovery Hub. You will be joining a team with an excellent track record in the areas of molecular glues and induced proximity mechanisms ( https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c12299 ; https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c01420 ;

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

Further information

Starting in January 2027 (or as soon as possible thereafter). Full time, fixed term, for up to 24 months in the first instance.

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top-ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.

This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial College London.

Our Culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination, and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our web pages .

Proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from the Armed Forces community.

Our values are at the root of everything we do, and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.