Cambridge University Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term)
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
About the Role
The BioNano Engineering group headed by Prof. Ljiljana Fruk (fruk-lab.com) is looking for an outstanding postdoctoral research associate for a multidisciplinary programme across multiple Cambridge departments combining protein-guided mineral growth with controlled microdroplet reactions, flow and digital deposition to create hierarchical functional materials. The first target of the programme is direct-to-shape rare-earth-free magnetic materials, reducing on critical minerals and material waste; later work may extend the platform to advance battery cathodes, subject to programme stage gates. This job is part of an Advanced Research & Invention Agency-funded project, subject to contract negotiations.
Key Responsibilities
- Primary scientific ownership of protein design including the introduction of protein-nanocrystal binding motif, protein selection and expression, as well as the exploration of protein-mineral/protein-nanocrystal interface.
- Build and refine diverse panel of engineered, recombinant and abundant proteins to enable nucleation and alignment of nanocrystals.
- Establish quantitative assays and controls to understand binding, nucleation, self-assembly, and anisotropic organisation.
- Work with the broader team to progress from discovery and down-selection to print-ready formulations, process integration, supply and storage, and standard operating procedure for scale up.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Specific Objectives
-
Protein design/assembly and nanocrystal nucleation.
- Design and selection of approximately 12-20 candidate proteins to enable controlled growth of nanoparticles either through protein engineering or protein assembly.
- These proteins will include MmS/MaM-inspired mineral binding interfaces, and self-assembled 3D structures of abundant proteins such as casein, whey, and zein, to be used for ferrite structure growth.
-
Experimental screening, validation, and down-selection of the most suitable protein candidates.
- Include binding, nucleation, growth, aggregation, and anisotropic alignment of nanostructures.
- Engineered proteins will be compared to abundant, available alternatives.
-
Collaboration to scale protein production and formulation, biomineralization, printing, and scale up.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Qualifications
- Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD.
- Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.
Employment Details
- Fixed-term full-time employment: The funding is for 18 months at first instance. There is additional 18-month funding if the project team meets the required project objectives.
How to Apply
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
- Please quote reference NQ50520 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
Further Information
- The University actively supports equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
- The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
NQ50520 Further Particulars
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills