Research Associate / Senior Research Associate in AI for DNA/RNA Nanotechnology

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

The Role
This exciting research opening is looking for computational specialist to work as part of a highly interdisciplinary team lead by Prof. N. Krasnogor. The successful applicant will join the Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex Biosystems research group ICOS.

The post holder will have responsibility for carrying out world-leading research on the application of computational design, modelling, optimisation and/or AI tools in DNA/RNA nanotechnology systems that could be applied to Nucleic Acid Therapeutics and/or DNA data storage.

A successful candidate will bring her/his expertise in either (or all of) AI (e.g. deep neural networks), CAD, computational modelling and/or optimisation (e.g. evolutionary multi-objective optimisation) to systems built from DNA or RNA molecules. Examples of such systems include those that use DNA/RNA strand displacement, DNA/RNA origami, DNA/RNA aptamers or DNA/RNA based data storage systems.

The post holder will use existing tools such as, e.g., oxDNA, cadnano, cando, tiamat, Vienna Package, etc, and tools built in our own lab to accelerate the Design->Build->Test->Learn cycle in experimental nanotechnology.

The successful candidate will be expected to both capture experimental data and develop its own novel algorithms and methods to design and model DNA and RNA systems that operate within in vitro, cell-extract, cell-free arrangements as well as in vivo environments.

The successful candidate will work embedded with experimentalist and have access to state-of-the-art computational and bio-nano-technology laboratories to test, debug and improve its computational tools on real-world experimental data.

Candidates must be able to spend time away from Newcastle visiting collaborators' labs abroad and attending business meetings outside Newcastle, including international conferences and project meetings.

This position is available on a full time, fixed term basis, to start immediately and is tenable for 12 months with a potential extension depending on performance until the official project end date.

To apply, please complete an online application and upload a plain text copy of your CV and covering letter only. The covering letter should clearly indicate two key publications, a link to your GitHub/Bitbucket/GitLab (or equivalent) profile and a brief statement of what you expect to accomplish by joining our team. In your cover letter, you should also evidence how you meet or exceed the essential requirements for the role. Please note, any other ‘Additional Document' you upload may not be received by the reviewing panel.

For any informal enquiries please contact Prof. Natalio Krasnogor, Professor of Computing Science and Synthetic Biology via email: Natalio.Krasnogor@newcastle.ac.uk using as subject: "Research Associate or Senior Research Associate in AI for DNA/RNA Nanotechnology".

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