Research Fellow in Enzymatic Plastics Degradation

About the role

The research fellow will work in the groups of Helen Hailes in the Department of Chemistry and Jack Jeffries in Biochemical Engineering at University College London. The project is part of the Preventing Plastic Pollution through Engineering Biology (P3EB) Mission Hub, a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming end-of-life plastic waste using cutting-edge engineering biology technologies. Working in partnership with industry, we will impart value into plastic waste, incentivising its recovery and retention, and so reducing the amount destined for landfill, for incineration, or being discarded into the environment. This collaborative project will investigate enzymatic systems for the breakdown of plastics, together with developing routes to recycle/upcycle products formed. The postholder will help discover and improve enzyme performance, optimise enzyme efficiencies and perform plastic degradation reactions under a range of reacti on conditions. They will also synthesise model substrates, develop screens using analytical chemistry methods to characterise products, and investigate routes and enzyme cascades to recycle/upcycle products formed. The postholder will work in a multidisciplinary environment with members of the P3EB Mission Hub so excellent team-working and communication skills will be required. The appointment is open-ended and funded by the UKRI for 24 months in the first instance with possibility of extension.

About you

The successful candidate will have a PhD degree (or be about to be awarded a PhD) in an area of Biocatalysis, Chemical Biology, or equivalent subject. Experience in several of the following areas: enzyme expression and screening, assay development and compound characterisation, organic synthesis, and polymer biodegradation, together with a good publication track record, a demonstrated commitment to excellence, and excellent skills in the lab are required. They will be required to work in a multidisciplinary, collaborative team and have effective written and verbal communication skills in English. Please note, appointment at Grade 7 (£42,099 - £50,585 including London Allowance) is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B (£37,332 - £39,980 including London Allowance) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis. The Job Descri ption and Person Specification can be accessed by clicking 'Apply'. To apply for the vacancy please click on the ‘Apply' button. For informal enquiries please contact Professor Helen Hailes, h.c.hailes(at)ucl.ac.uk. Any queries on accessing the online application link can be directed to hr.chem(at)ucl.ac.uk.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within UCL at this level.

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