Research Associate in Peptide Chemistry and Bioconjugation

About the role

We are seeking an industrious, independent, and ambitious postdoctoral researcher to join a multi-institutional project aimed funded by Versus Arthritis focussed on developing a novel peptide-siRNA conjugate for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). In this project, you will be involved in the synthesis of peptide-siRNA conjugates that are designed to bind specific receptors to enable targeted delivery of disease-modifying nucleic acid agents directly to affected joint cells.

OA is a degenerative joint disorder and a leading cause of pain and disability, affecting over 500 million people worldwide. Currently, no approved treatments exist that can halt or reverse disease progression. Existing pain relief options are often ineffective or associated with adverse side effects. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have emerged as a promising new class of therapeutics with unique advantages over traditional drugs. Six siRNA-based therapies are already approved for clinical use. However, a major hurdle in applying siRNA therapeutics to OA is the efficient and targeted delivery of siRNAs to joint-resident cells.

About you

You will hold a PhD in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, or a related discipline.

You should have practical experience of peptide synthesis, linker chemistries, and the preparation of conjugates with biomolecules, especially nucleic acids.

You should also have a strong track record of carrying out academic or industrial research at the interface of chemistry and biology, ideally evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Additional information

The post is available for 12 months and will be primarily supervised by Dr Ian Eggleston (Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath). You will also work closely with Prof Mark Lindsay at Bath, and colleagues at University of Birmingham (Professor Simon Jones) and University Nottingham (Prof Vicky Chapman and Dr Federico Dajas-Bailador).

Interviews will take place in the week commencing 11 August 2025.

For an informal discussion relating to this vacancy, please contact:

Dr Ian Eggleston (ie203@bath.ac.uk) and Prof. Mark Lindsay (mal37@bath.ac.uk)

What we can offer you:

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts & more
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce

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