Research Associate/Fellow (fixed-term) (MED

We are delighted to welcome applications for a postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow to join us at the Nottingham Engineering Biology Labs, as a core member of the GlycoCell UKRI Engineering Biology Mission Hub!

This is an exceptional opportunity to do exciting, high-impact research as part of the UK's flagship new initiative and large investment in transformative Engineering Biology. GlycoCell is applying synthetic biology approaches with glycoscience to develop vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/glycocell-engineering-biology-mission-hub

https://www.ukri.org/news/new-100m-fund-will-unlock-the-potential-of-engineering-biology/

GlycoCell is a collaborative, multidisciplinary consortium spanning six UK academic institutions and three industrial partners which interact extensively as part of the research programmes. This is an excellent career and professional network development opportunity for the successful candidates. Prof John Heap is Principal Investigator of GlycoCell, and the University of Nottingham is the lead Research Organisation.

About the role

The Research Associate/Fellow will work on research led by Prof John Heap and Dr Alex Faulds Pain, using Engineering Biology approaches (high-throughput design, construction, analysis and optimisation) to construct many bacterial strains safely producing glycans and glycoproteins as vaccine candidates and therapeutics.

The post builds on established strengths in our labs and involves collaboration with our partners in the GlycoCell consortium. The successful candidates will be part of a large team of Research Associates/Fellows, PhD students, technical specialists, managers and academics with real capacity to deliver on ambitious objectives leading to excellent outputs and impacts, and the opportunity to support and mentor more junior researchers. We intend to develop future leaders in our field here.

About us

We are passionate about impact, so as well as doing and publishing excellent research, we often work with industry, and we undertake all steps of the innovation pipeline from ideation and invention through to commercialisation, including licensing our technologies to industry and founding startup companies to drive impact. Our research environment provides great opportunities for candidates interested in these aspects.

We are housed in the Biodiscovery Institute, the University of Nottingham’s flagship 800-researcher research complex on the leafy University Park campus. This very well-equipped and well-resourced facility is the perfect home for our research cluster.

Our Nottingham Engineering Biology Labs research cluster is a friendly, welcoming, inclusive and supportive research environment, with a great positive culture. Our members engage with furthering equality, diversity, and inclusion through our activities both within Nottingham and nationally. We are proud that both the University of Nottingham and our home School of Life Sciences hold Athena Swan Gold awards for advancing gender equality.

Employment details

The advertised post is a full-time role, available on a fixed-term basis for three years in the first instance, with the possibility for extension. Arrangements for job shares may be considered.

Enquiries

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof John Heap john.heap@nottingham.ac.uk and/or Dr Alexandra Faulds-Pain alexandra.faulds-pain1@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to these email addresses will not be accepted.

Closing Date: 18 Apr 2025 Category: Research and Teaching (R&T)