Research Associate/Fellow

BBSRC sLoLa Synthetic Biology - Nottingham

(fixed term) 

£24,766 - £30,424 per annum, depending on skills & experience.  Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance – (£27,047 maximum without PhD) 

GASCHEM: Optimising industrial gas fermentation for commercial low-carbon fuel and chemical production through systems and synthetic biology approaches 

The Clostridia Research Group (http://www.clostron.com/people.php) is part of the BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre (BSBEC) and are located in state-of-the-art facilities in the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cbs), a multidisciplinary research environment with frequent seminars and a vibrant microbial research community. The post will also interact closely with LanzaTech, ranked number three on the list of the "50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy" by Biofuels Digest. The CRG has additionally formed strong partnerships with groups in the US, China and India, providing ample opportunity to take part in international conferences, workshops, and exchange programmes. 

Acetogenic Clostridium species, are able to capture carbon (CO or CO2) through anaerobic gas fermentation. This enables low carbon fuels and chemicals to be produced in any industrialised geography without consumption of valuable food or land resources. The Clostridia Research Group at the University of Nottingham has been awarded a £2.9M BBSRC strategic LoLa (Longer and Larger) grant of five years duration. The project is part-funded by LanzaTech and will:-

• take a systems approach to understanding the metabolic pathways leading from gas uptake to its conversion to biofuels
• use metabolic engineering to manipulate products streams
• extend product range to more high value fuels & chemicals using a synthetic biology approach
• evaluate the modified strains in laboratory, pilot, and eventually, demonstration scale at LanzaTech 

To accomplish the above aims we are seeking an innovative scientist with a proven track record in the handling and genetic manipulation of bacterial species, preferably a Gram-positive bacterium, and ideally a Clostridium species. The successful candidate will be expected to both generate and analyse gene knock-outs and knock-ins with respect to affects on gene transcription and metabolism.  Past experience in metabolic engineering and or the use of fermenter systems would be an advantage. 

Candidates should have a PhD or be close to completion in microbiology/biochemistry or a related discipline and extensive postgraduate experience of working with bacterial species. 

This post will be offered on a fixed-term until 31 August 2018. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor N Minton, email: nigel.minton@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to these email addresses will not be considered. 

For more details and/or to apply on-line please access: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/Jobs/CurrentVacancies/ref/MED1188.   If you are unable to apply on-line please contact the Human Resources Department, tel: 0115 951 5206. 

Please quote ref. MED/1188.  Closing date: 30 May 2013