Track C: Nanophotonics, Mineralisation and Materials Characterisation

You will work on the conversion of ordered protein arrays into inorganic frameworks, characterising structure and optical properties at each stage and developing the deposition methods needed to produce large-area functional materials.

These are full-time posts (35 hours per week). Contracts will be offered for 21 months in the first instance. Subject to satisfactory progress at the ARIA milestone review at Month 18, posts are expected to extend to a total of 36 months. Candidates should be aware that continuation beyond 21 months is contingent on this review.

About you

You will hold a PhD (have submitted your thesis and be awaiting award) in biochemistry, biophysics, chemistry, physics, materials science, a closely related discipline, with a track record of independent research demonstrated by scientific publication. You will be able to plan and execute experiments to a high standard, with a creative approach to problem-solving. You will be collaborative, direct about what you know and don't know, and motivated by working on a hard scientific problem with a team built specifically around it.

Each track requires additional specific technical experience, detailed in the person specification of the Job Description. Please review the Job Description and address the relevant track criteria in your supporting statement.

Essential criteria

• PhD (thesis submitted and awaiting award) in a relevant discipline: biochemistry, biophysics, chemistry, physics, materials science, or closely related field.
• A track record of independent research, demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed international journals.
• Ability to plan, execute, and troubleshoot experimental research independently and to a high standard.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex data to interdisciplinary audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-site team and to contribute openly to shared goals.

Track A — Protein Engineering and Structural Characterisation

Candidates applying to Track A posts should meet criterion A1 and at least one of A2 or A3.

• A1. Hands-on experience with recombinant protein expression and purification in E. coli, including cell-free synthesis, high-throughput screening approaches.
• A2. Experience with structural characterisation of protein assemblies: cryo-electron microscopy, AFM, CD, analytical ultracentrifugation.
• A3. Experience with de novo protein or peptide design and computational protein design tools.

Track B — Membrane Biophysics and 2D Interface Assembly

Candidates applying to Track B posts should meet criterion B1 and at least one of B2, B3 or B4.

• B1. Experience with lipid membrane systems: droplet interface bilayers (DIBs), supported lipid bilayers, liposomes, oil-water interface preparation and characterisation.
• B2. Experience with single-molecule fluorescence imaging, interferometric scattering microscopy, or equivalent label-free optical microscopy methods.
• B3. Experience with microfluidic device design and fabrication for control of fluid interfaces, protein concentration, bilayer formation.
• B4. Experience with ion-channel, nanopore characterisation including single-channel recording.

Track C — Nanophotonics, Mineralisation, and Materials Characterisation

Candidates applying to Track C posts should meet criterion C1 and at least one of C2 or C3.

• C1. Experience with characterisation of nanostructured materials: extinction/scattering spectroscopy, plasmonic resonance mapping, ellipsometry, or equivalent methods.
• C2. Experience with interferometric scattering microscopy, related label-free optical microscopy.
• C3. Experience with metal thin-film deposition, nanoparticle synthesis, bioinorganic mineralisation, and with structural characterisation by AFM or SEM.

Desirable criteria

• Experience supervising, mentoring PhD students, junior researchers.
• Experience contributing to grant applications, intellectual property development.
• Familiarity with design-build-test cycles for protein, materials systems.
• Experience working across disciplinary boundaries, for example bridging protein science with materials or photonics.
• Experience in a milestone-driven programme research environment.

Please note that this is a PhD-level role, but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhD will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5 with the title of Research Assistant, upgrading to Grade 6 Research Associate upon confirmation of the PhD award.