Research Associate - NMR of Phosphoryl Transfer Enzymes

Job reference: SAE-029621
Salary: £37,694 to £46,049 per annum, dependent on relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Manchester Institute of Biotechnology
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Chemistry
Hours Per Week: Full Time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 03/10/2025
Contract Duration: 15 months
School/Directorate: School of Natural Sciences

We are looking for an enthusiastic NMR spectroscopist to join our team investigating the mechanisms of action of phosphoryl transfer enzymes. The current position will focus on solution NMR methods in combination with X-ray crystallography, enzyme kinetics and computational chemistry to investigate how enzymes utilise changes in conformational entropy to control the relative stability of substrate complexes and the transition state. Work will focus on beta-phosphoglucomutase and extend to phosphoglycerate kinase, with catechol O-methyltransferase being used as comparator.

During the project you will make proteins containing uniform and specific isotopic labels, measure and analyse heteronuclear NMR data, including a wide variety of relaxation and high-pressure approaches, and develop new methods for mapping conformational entropy within enzymes across a range of states. Owing to the short period of this appointment, extensive prior experience in modern solution NMR protein structure determination, relaxation methods including PREs and the application of 19F NMR to metal fluoride ground state and transition state analogues is essential. This project is based in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology.

This post is tenable for up to 15 months in the first instance.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

The School of Chemistry is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality in higher education. The School holds a Silver Award which recognises their good practice in relation to gender; including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and support to allow staff to achieve a good work-life balance. We particularly welcome applications from women for this post. Appointment will always be made on merit. For further information, please visit http://www.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk/about-us/athena-swan/

We positively welcome applications from women, who are currently under-represented at this grade. Appointment will be made on merit.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Prof Jon Waltho

Email: j.waltho@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

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