Fleming Initiative Technician in High-Throughput Mass Spectrometry

About the role:

Following a £45 million pledge from GSK to support the Fleming Initiative’s efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), we are seeking a talented technician to join the team in the group of Professor Ed Tate at Imperial College London. This role will support the generation of high-throughput mass spectrometry (MS) data to power state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) models to build a chemical ‘rule book’ for small molecule accumulation in bacteria. The position is available full time, starting in February 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter).

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a significant and growing global health threat, with recent projections estimating that 39 million deaths will be directly attributed to AMR between 2025–2050. Of particular concern are Gram-negative bacteria which possess two cell membranes, including a hard-to-penetrate outer membrane decorated with efficient efflux systems. These structural barriers severely limit intracellular accumulation of antibiotic drugs, rendering many ineffective. Despite a renewed focus on AMR research, there is still limited understanding of how to develop antibiotics that can cross these membranes and accumulate within bacteria. Therefore, a systematic, data-driven approach is urgently needed to elucidate the chemical ‘rule book’ that determines small molecule penetration and accumulation in bacteria to guide rational design of next generation antibiotics.

What you would be doing:

Your role will focus on optimising and delivering high-throughput rapid mass spectrometry methods to quantify small molecules within complex bacterial cell lysates. The data generated from these experiments will feed into the development of state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) models to build a chemical ‘rule book’ for small molecule accumulation in bacteria. You will be contributing to a dynamic and ambitious Grand Challenge Project, funded by GSK and the Fleming Initiative, and you will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, from assay design and microbiology (Dr Andrew Edwards) to data science (Dr Marko Storch) and AI/ML (Prof. Alessandra Russo, Prof. Ramon Villar, Prof. Mauricio Barahona). In addition to your research activities, you will support the day-to-day running of the laboratory. This includes maintaining equipment, purchasing and organising consumables, disposal of biohazard and chemical waste, participating in laboratory duty rotas, and providing introductory training for new facility users.

What we are looking for:

• A minimum of a BSc qualification in chemistry, chemical biology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related field, or an equivalent level of professional qualifications and experience.
• Experience in optimising parameters for small molecule mass spectrometry or metabolomics, maintenance of MS systems, and the use of relevant data analysis software.
• Knowledge of current high-throughput MS methods, data analysis, and safe laboratory working practices.

What we can offer you:

Working within the Tate group would give you the opportunity to work with >60 scientists at all levels from undergraduates to postdoctoral researchers with our state-of-the-art labs in West London. You will be joining a team with an excellent track record in the areas of antimicrobial resistance and drug discovery (https://doi.org/10.1128/aac.01206-22, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2019.06.025, https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.08.19.671038).  

Further Information

Starting in February 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter). Full time, fixed term, for up to 30 months in the first instance.

If you require any further details on the role please contact: Professor Ed Tate: e.tate@imperial.ac.uk

Advert information