Research Associate on Engineering Biology for food applications

About the role:

We are seeking to employ a postdoctoral researcher on a 24-month contract, which can be extended, to work in the research group of Dr Ledesma-Amaro in the Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology. The selected researcher will join an internationally-regarded, dynamic, friendly, diverse and inclusive team working on the application of cutting-edge synthetic biology tools in pathway and metabolic engineering, addressing current challenges in key areas such as biotechnology and biomedicine.

This position is open for a research associate (postdoc) to work on engineering biology with food-relevant non-conventional organisms, mainly filamentous fungi (e.g. Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Neurospora, etc). The project combines state-of-the-art technologies, including advanced cloning systems and CRISPR tools, and elements of food science research. The project will run in close collaboration with academic and industrial partners of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein.

The ideal candidate will be experienced with synthetic biology tools and possess relevant expertise in this field. Being familiar with Golden Gate, CRISPR (or equivalent gene editing techniques) would be advantageous. Having experience manipulating filamentous fungi/or yeast strains would be preferred.

This post offers an excellent opportunity for academic career advancement in Europe’s number one hub for synthetic biology. Imperial College’s synthetic biology facilities are second-to-none, and include a DNA Foundry and SynBiCITE, a dedicated centre for translating lab research.

Applicants must have a PhD in synthetic biology, molecular biology, metabolic engineering, microbial biotechnology (or equivalent) for appointment at Research Associate level. Applicants close to completion of their PhDs will also be considered where experience is directly relevant. Please see the job description and person specification document associated with this advert for the full list of criteria.

You will be part of the newly created Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein. Funded by the Bezos Earth Fund, the $30m Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein will apply cutting-edge Engineering Biology to accelerate the alternative protein revolution and transform global food systems, to make them more sustainable, healthy, resilient and economically viable, by driving a step-change in consumption from conventional meat to alternative proteins.

You will also be involved in one of the six new mission hubs for Engineering Biology funded by UKRI. The first of its kind in the world, the Engineering Biology Hub for Microbial Foods will bring together world-leading academics, industrial partners, food organisations and diverse end-users in a wide-ranging and ambitious programme of work that provides a clear pipeline from fundamental research to commercialisation. The overarching vision of the Hub is to harness the joint potentials of engineering biology and the microbial food revolution to create and deliver a more sustainable, productive, resilient and healthy food system.

Further Information

This position is a fixed-term contract with an anticipated to start as soon as possible. Candidates will be subject to standard employment checks as required by Imperial College London.

*You will be appointed as research assistant salary £43,863 - £47,223 if you are yet to receive your PhD.

Closing date midnight 05 November 2025.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

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