Research Associate in Chemistry

Job Summary

A Research Associate position is available within the Chemistry Department at Imperial College London to work in the Walport laboratory (https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/labs/louise-walport) based at the Francis Crick Institute. The project is funded by cPTM-DISPLAY which was selected for an ERC Starting Grant and is now funded by a UKRI Guarantee Funding for Horizon Europe ERC grants (https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FX020878%2F1).

We are seeking a motivated chemist to carry out novel research employing DNA encoded library screening technologies. Your work will involve developing and applying new approaches to chemically modifying mRNA-display cyclic peptide libraries. You will apply to chemical probe development for a wide range of challenging protein targets. The project will involve synthesising DNA-barcoded chemical reagents; developing and optimising new peptide selection schemes to identify candidate peptides; biophysical and structural characterisation of identified peptides; lead peptide optimisation; and peptide characterisation and testing. The project will be multidisciplinary, involving synthetic and peptide chemistry, biophysical characterisation of peptide hits, biochemical assays and the potential to extend into structural biology and cell biology. We are therefore seeking someone with strong experience in synthetic chemistry, an understanding and experience of a range of chemical biology approaches and a willingness to learn others as dictated by the project. Experience with the development, optimisation and testing of peptide inhibitors or other chemical probes and working with DNA encoded libraries is desirable.

The Walport lab is a highly interdisciplinary lab that uses a wide variety of techniques, spanning from synthetic and peptide chemistry to cell biology, to study proteins involved in the regulation of post-translational modifications. Our location in the Francis Crick Institute affords us access to a wealth of state-of-the-art technologies and expertise through the Scientific Technology Platforms alongside the stimulating environment provided by both the Crick and the Imperial College Chemistry Department.

Duties and responsibilities

• You will lead, conduct and record research at the forefront of modern chemical biology
• You will contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis
• You will draft and submit publications to refereed journals
• You will co-supervise PhD, Masters and undergraduate students

Essential requirements

• Hold, or near completion of, a PhD degree (or an equivalent level of professional qualifications) in a relevant field (e.g. chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry)
• Strong background in chemical biology
• Extensive practical experience working on a multi-disciplinary project
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Eagerness to learn new techniques.

Further Information

The post is full-time and fixed term for 2 years. You will be based at Francis Crick Institute.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will initially be appointed as Research Assistant.

To apply, candidates should complete the online application form.

Should you require and further details on the role please contact Dr Louise Walport: l.walport@imperial.ac.uk

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