Research Fellow and Laboratory Manager in Chemical and Synthetic Biology

The role

A permanent Research Fellow position is available to support Professor Dek Woolfson’s group in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol.  The Woolfson group works on de novo peptide and protein design and the application of these in chemical and synthetic biology.  The group bridges Chemistry, Biochemistry and the University’s synthetic/engineering biology centre, the Bristol BioDesign Institute, which Prof Woolfson is the Director of. More specifically, research activity in the Woolfson group spans rational and computational peptide and protein design; the production of peptides and proteins using both synthetic and recombinant approaches; the biophysical and structural characterization of these molecules; and the applications of the resulting de novo peptide/protein modules to address problems and challenges in cell biology and biotechnology.  For examples of recent research projects see: https://woolfsonlab.wordpress.com/publications/.  The postholder is expected to become actively engaged in these research activities, and would be encouraged to lead one of the group’s research programmes.

More information on the School of Chemistry, which was ranked first in REF2021, the School of Biochemistry, and the Bristol BioDesign Institute can be found at:

http://www.bris.ac.uk/chemistry/

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/biochemistry/

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/research/institutes/biodesign/

What will you be doing?

The primary responsibilities of this post are to ensure the smooth running of experimental aspects of the Woolfson research lab; to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of research in the Woolfson lab; and to help oversee the training of undergraduate and new post-graduate students, which number up to 10 each year.  There will be considerable opportunity for the postholder to develop new research projects in peptide/protein design and synthetic biology with Professor Woolfson, including co-writing grant proposals and co-supervising research grants in the lab.  This could extend to helping forge new collaborative research links and endeavours both across the University and with international collaborators.  Further, together with Professor Woolfson, the post-holder would be expected to contribute to undergraduate teaching in the School of Chemistry, predominantly on its first-year and Life Chemistry modules, and there will be some associated administrative duties.

You should apply if

We seek a researcher experienced in chemical and synthetic biology, and, ideally, with expertise in de novo peptide/protein design.  Enthusiasm for these research areas, and a passion to mentor and develop the research potential of early career researchers (undergraduate, PhD, and post-doctoral co-workers) will be critical.  A key aspect of this role will be to work as an effective part of an active research team and to show leadership here.  Experience in undergraduate and/or post-graduate teaching would be advantage, but is not essential.

Additional information

For informal enquiries, contact: Dek Woolfson/d.n.woolfson@bristol.ac.uk

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The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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