Research Fellow in Impact of Fluid-Induced Forces on Protein Stability

Do you have experience of developing and quantifying small-scale fluid-based devices? Do you want to use your experience to support developing the next generation of protein-based medicines? Do you want to further your career by working on a multidisciplinary project spanning engineering and biology in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities? 

This position supports the recently awarded EPSRC award titled EMBeDs: Ensuring Manufacturability of next-generation Biopharmaceuticals by Design. The project has been designed through careful collaboration between the University of Leeds and two industrial partners (Astra Zeneca and UCB) who are actively involved in developing the next generation of biopharmaceutical medicines. These are protein based, and there is a need to identify successful candidates that are both effective against the target disease but are also robust molecules that can survive the rigours of manufacturing. 

We have a long track record of developing novel devices for assessing the stability of proteins in relation to hydrodynamic forces (e.g. PNAS) - and more recently shown that the measurements are unique amongst a much broader portfolio of tests that are carried out on candidate molecules. The focus of this work strand will be to develop new approaches to stressing proteins in a controlled manner.

You will be required to bring your understanding of fluid mechanics and fluid-flow equipment design to create new approaches to both stressing and evaluating protein response. As samples are limited, you will have experience in working with micro- and milli-fluidic systems. This will involve working with other scientists to identify appropriate physics-based measurement techniques and working with a unique range of protein samples developed within this project to quantify their behaviour. Within the wider team, you will be proactive in presenting your findings including to industrial partners and preparing your data for publication.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements. 

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Professor Nikil Kapur, Professor of Applied Fluid Mechanics

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 2152 

Email: N.Kapur@leeds.ac.uk

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information, please visit the Government’s Skilled Worker visa page.

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information, please visit the Government’s page, Apply for the Global Talent visa.

What we offer in return

26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!Generous pension scheme plus life assurance – the University contributes 14.5% of salary. Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!  

Closing Date: 11 May 2025

Section: Research

Salary: £39,355 to £46,735 p.a. Due to funding restrictions, an appointment will not be made higher than £39,355 p.a.