Research Fellow

To be an active member of the Biofunctional Nanomaterials group, led by Dr Garry Laverty, supporting the development of an enzyme-responsive peptide-like hydrogel for the sustained injectable delivery of antitubercular drugs. This post is available for 12 months.

Design, synthesise and characterise peptide-mimetic hydrogelator platforms suitable for the sustained parenteral delivery of antitubercular drugs. Such techniques will include solid and liquid-phase peptoid and peptide synthesis, drug conjugation to peptoid-peptides, purification, identification via spectroscopy (NMR, Mass spectroscopy), formulation, pharmaceutical and biological stability assays, oscillatory rheology, cell culture and in drug release (HPLC).

Manage the day-to-day activities of the research project including commercialisation and outreach activities.

Present regular progress reports on research to members of the research group or to external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.

In consultation with supervisor, write high quality research reports and manuscripts for journal publication and presentations at international conferences.

Assist supervisor in the preparation of funding proposals and applications to external bodies.

Carry out routine administrative tasks associated with the research project to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget in line with funder’s requirements. These might include organisation of project meetings and documentation, financial control, risk assessment of research activities, focus groups, consultancy and liaising with intellectual property development.

Read academic papers, journals and textbooks to keep abreast of developments in own specialism and related disciplines.

Supervising undergraduate research and laboratory projects, demonstrating and lecturing duties within the post holder’s area of expertise and under the direct guidance of a member of academic staff.

Support academic staff’s administrative duties.

About the person:

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Have or be about to obtain (evidence of submission or awaiting viva exam) a PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Pharmacy or closely related area.
• Significant recent relevant practical research experience of peptide-mimetic synthesis (liquid and solid-phase synthesis of peptides, peptoids), advanced methods of drug conjugation to peptide, peptoids, proteins or similar molecules, purification and identification.
• Experience in optimising the chemical synthesis of peptide-mimetics to provide at least gram-scale yield to high (>95%) purity.
• Experience of spectroscopic (NMR, mass spectroscopy) methods relevant to peptide material characterisation.
• Experience in drug purification and quantification by chromatography e.g. HPLC.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.

Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

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