Postdoctoral Research Associate

The University of Manchester; Manchester (CT); On-site; USD 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Manchester’s Manchester Institute of Biotechnology seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Chemical Biology. You will lead the final stage of a six-year sulfoglycolysis project, designing experiments and mentoring junior researchers.

Working in the Jin Group, you will perform cloning, enzyme production, and glycan analysis, publish results in high-impact journals and contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, glycobiology, microbiology or a related field.
• Hands-on molecular biology and protein expression/purification experience.
• Experience with bacterial glycan analysis (derivatization and LC-MS).
• Microbiology experience, preferably with Salmonella.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, with leadership ability.
• Good publication record for career stage.
• Lead the final, high-impact phase of a Wellcome-funded project.
• Work in a leading interdisciplinary biotechnology institute with excellent facilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and run experiments across the pipeline.
• Lead lab operations and manage the group day-to-day.
• Execute plasmid design, cloning, expression and purification.
• Collaborate with partners to communicate progress and publish results.

Skills

Molecular biology

Protein expression

Enzyme purification

Salmonella handling

Glycobiology

Team coordination

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in biochemistry / glycobiology / microbiology

Tools

LC-MS

Derivatization

Cloning

Bacterial culture techniques

Job description

We’re hiring: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Chemical Biology, University of Manchester

Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB), UK

14 months initially, with an extension planned

Closing date: 09 Nov 2026

Join the Jin Group at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, led by Dr Yi Jin. We’re looking for a motivated postdoctoral researcher to lead the final stage of a 6-year project on sulfoglycolysis, a bacterial pathway for breaking down sulfosugars.

The role

You’ll lead research in the lab and help manage the group day-to-day. You’ll design, develop and run experiments across the pipeline, including:

• Plasmid design and cloning
• Enzyme production and purification
• Gene knockouts, and culturing and assaying Salmonella
• B acterial glycan analysis

Much of the groundwork is already in place. The aim now is to take the project to completion and publish its key results in high-impact journals. You’ll work closely with group members and collaborators to communicate the project and develop it further.

What we’re looking for

• A PhD in biochemistry, glycobiology, microbiology or a related field
• Hands-on experience in molecular biology and protein expression and purification
• Experience in bacterial glycan analysis (derivatisation and LC-MS)
• Microbiology experience, ideally with Salmonella or other Gram-negative bacterial pathogens
• Strong communication and organisational skills, and the confidence to coordinate a research team
• A good publication record for your career stage
• Lead the final, high-impact phase of a well-established, Wellcome-funded project
• Work in a leading interdisciplinary biotechnology institute with excellent structural biology facilities

Interested?

For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Dr Yi Jin at [e-mail]

Please share with anyone who might be a good fit!