Postdoctoral Protein Scientist - MDLS

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out molecular cloning and construct design, including plasmid design, Gibson/Golden Gate assembly, and site-directed mutagenesis
• Express proteins using bacterial-, mammalian-cell-based (e.g., E. coli, HEK293), and cell-free protein expression systems, selecting the appropriate route for each project
• Purify proteins by FPLC, including affinity (IMAC), ion exchange, and size-exclusion chromatography
• Characterise and quality-control protein preparations (e.g. SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, mass spectrometry, DLS, thermal stability assays, CD spectroscopy) and set acceptance criteria before proteins are used in functional assays
• Apply protein engineering approaches (rational, structure-guided, and/or directed evolution) to optimise nanopore and related protein tools for specific sensing applications
• Manage, update, and maintain the group's inventory and library of in-house plasmids and protein preparations, ensuring records are accurate, well organised, and easily retrievable
• Establish and document clear protocols and SOPs for protein engineering and preparation workflows, to support reproducibility and knowledge transfer within the team
• Train and mentor junior team members (DPhil students, technicians, and new starters) in protein engineering, expression, purification, and characterisation techniques
• Liaise with suppliers and manufacturers to support procurement and essential maintenance of equipment relevant to protein work (e.g. FPLC systems, expression and QC equipment)
• Keep accurate, well-organised records of experiments and protein preparations (electronic lab notebook), and contribute to manuscripts, IP disclosures, and grant applications arising from the work
• Present progress and findings at group meetings
• Maintain relevant risk assessments (e.g. GM, COSHH) for protein and molecular biology work, and ensure compliance with laboratory safety standards
• Be open to learning and adopting new protein science techniques as the group's technology needs evolve, and support their introduction into the team
• Work closely with colleagues from physical and engineering science backgrounds, translating protein requirements into specifications for device and technology development

Requirements

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• PhD in a relevant field such as Protein Science, Structural Biology, Protein Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated expertise in protein engineering, protein preparation, and molecular biology
• Proficient in molecular cloning techniques (e.g. Gibson/Golden Gate assembly, site-directed mutagenesis, plasmid design)
• Hands-on experience with recombinant protein expression, using bacterial-cell-based (e.g., E. coli), mammalian-cell-based (e.g., HEK293), or cell-free (in vitro transcription-translation) expression systems
• Practical experience with protein purification by FPLC (IMAC, ion exchange, size-exclusion chromatography)
• Experience with protein characterisation and QC techniques (e.g. SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, mass spectrometry, DLS, thermal stability assays such as DSF/nanoDSF, CD spectroscopy)
• Technically excellent, reliable, and able to work with a strong sense of urgency to deliver proteins on demand
• A self-starter who works well independently, with the initiative to plan and progress their own work
• Open-minded and adaptable, with a willingness to learn and adopt new protein science techniques
• Comfortable working in a multidisciplinary environment and communicating effectively with colleagues from physical and engineering science backgrounds

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Exposure to structural biology methods and/or computational protein modelling tools (e.g. cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, AlphaFold)
• Experience with insect or mammalian cell expression systems
• Experience with bioconjugation chemistry

Key Attributes:

• Self-starter who is independent, proactive, and solution-oriented
• Strong sense of urgency and reliability, with the ability to deliver protein tools on demand to support fast-moving technology development
• Technically able and detail-oriented, with high standards for protein quality and documentation
• Open to learning and adopting new techniques, and proactive about bringing new methods into the team
• Comfortable working at the interface of biology and engineering, able to translate protein and biological requirements for colleagues without a biological background
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented approach, including mentoring and training junior colleagues
• Good organisational skills, able to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities

Benefits

Our Benefits:

• Travel Allowance
• Annual Bonus
• Pension - Employer contribution 7.5%, minimum employee contribution 5%
• Life Assurance.
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance as standard for you, your partner and any dependents. Including hospital Cash Plan
• Employee discounts
• Electric car scheme
• Nursery Salary Sacrifice scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Family Planning
• Neurodiversity support including advise and assessments
• Coaching & Therapy services

Working Together - What It Involves:

You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary. In certain cases, we can consider sponsorship, and this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford (or be willing to relocate).