Research Assistant/Associate (Fixed Term)

Location: West Cambridge with research stay in Japan

We are seeking to recruit an experienced post-doctoral researcher to work at the exciting interface between nucleic nanotechnology and synthetic biology. The candidate will be supported by a BBSRC International Partnership Award held, in collaboration, by Dr Lorenzo Di Michele (Cambridge), Dr Yuval Elani (Imperial College), Prof. Masahiro Takinoue (Tokyo Tech) and Prof. Hirohide Saito (Kyoto). 

The project seeks to apply the tools of nucleic acid nanotechnology to engineer structures (organelles) and behaviours in both synthetic and biological cells. Further details on the project are available upon request. 

The candidate will be primarily based in the Cambridge lab, joining an extensive team of PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and research fellows working on similar topics. Here, the researcher will have access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities for DNA nanotechnology, molecular biology, membrane biophysics, microscopy, microfabrication, and spectroscopy. Frequent collaboration visits will be made to the London lab. 

In addition, the project involves an extensive, 4-month research exchange in Japan, where the researcher will visit both the Takinoue and Saito labs. Therefore, willingness to travel to Japan and organise the symposium are essential.

Finally, the researcher will take a leading role in the organisation of an international symposium on DNA nanotechnology and synthetic cell science in Cambridge. 

The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in experimental DNA nanotechnology, biophysics or synthetic biology (essential). Most important, we value work ethics, independence, initiative, creativity, leadership, and enthusiasm.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Independently organise and carry out experimental work and data analysis.
• Report periodically to the supervisory team.
• Prepare and submit manuscript for publication.
• Present at international conferences.
• Day-to-day supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Support the work of others in the group.

Essential requirements:

• A PhD in experimental DNA nanotechnology, synthetic biology, or biophysics.
• Experience with working on nucleic acid nanosystems.
• Experience with relevant experimental techniques (spectrophotometry, quantitative microscopy, DLS, AFM, TEM, nucleic acid handling, membrane fabrication).
• Experience with molecular cloning and cell transformation.
• Ability to program in Matlab and/or Python.
• Ability to conduct research independently.
• Ability to supervise master and PhD students.
• Ability to interface with research from diverse disciplines (physics, chemistry, biology).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Interviews are likely to be held soon after the closing date.

Start date: 01/07/2023. Fixed term: Funds for this position are available for 14 months, with possibility of extensions subject to performance and funding availability.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please quote reference NQ35921 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/40068.

Should you require any further details on the role please contact: Lorenzo Di Michele (ld389@cam.ac.uk); or any queries regarding the application process please contact Trish Murray on hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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