Postdoctoral Research Associate in Microbial Metal Sensing

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Microbial Metal Sensing. The research project is lead by Dr. Peter Chivers, as part of the BBSRC-funded ELEMENTAL Engineering Biology Hub (). The project will focus on engineering bacterial strains with altered cytosolic metal availabilities (see for a recent review), with applications ranging from improved metallation of heterologously expressed metalloenzymes and metallocofactors to improved metal tolerance in strains used in the circular economy of metals. The work at Durham will link directly with Hub partner activities at the University of Manchester and Quadram Institute.

The project will involve a range of experimental methods including assays of native and engineering bacterial strains for growth, gene expression (qPCR), and metal content (ICP-MS). Protein overexpression and purification (using untagged constructs) will be used to enable biophysical analysis of metal-protein interactions (e.g. affinity determination by competition assays). Regular joint meetings between academic partners will be a key part of meeting project goals and outcomes, along with presentations at annual Hub research meetings.

Key responsibilities:

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.

This post is fixed term for 24 months from 1^st November 2024 to 31^st October 2026 as part of a time-limited funded research project. There is a possibility of extension for a further 24 months to 31^st October 2028 pending initial project outcomes with input from the Hub Management Team and Strategic Advisory Board.

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