Research Associate

The role

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic biochemist with experience with molecular biology, protein biochemistry, and ideally antibody libraries (or similar) and display techniques to join an international team developing novel antivenoms to treat snakebite envenoming (https://addovenom.com/ ). 

What will you be doing?

Using state-of-the-art protein engineering and display technology, you will generate high-affinity binders against diverse toxins from snake venoms. These will be selected to neutralise the pathogenic function of toxins, for their use as antivenom. You will use a nanobody library already available in the lab and also newly designed library to select high-affinity binders against different toxin-targets using Ribosome Display. Berger-Schaffitzel has been part of the team developing Ribosome Display as an in vitro selection and evolution method to generate high-affinity antibodies from naïve libraries. Ribosome Display is established in the lab and currently used to select binders against diverse antigens for structural biology and biotechnological applications. Selected binders will be biophysically and structurally characterised in the Berger Schaffitzel laboratory; and tested for toxin neutralisation in enzymatic and cell-based assays and a murine model in Bristol and our collaborator’s lab at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

You should apply if

You should apply if you have experience with: antibody libraries (or similar) and display techniques; molecular biology techniques, protein expression and protein purification techniques; and working experience with biochemical and biophysical analysis.

The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in scientific questions under investigation in the lab coupled with enthusiasm, ambition and strong work ethic. We are seeking individuals with a published track record of research productivity in leading life science journals (published or in press / in revision) at a level that is appropriate for your current career stage.

Willingness to travel occasionally and have flexible working practice will be required. 

Additional information

For informal enquiries, contact: Christiane Berger Schaffitzel/christiane.berger-schaffitzel@bristol.ac.uk

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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