Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Molecular Bacteriology

Location:

South Kensington Campus, with some work at White City.

About the role:

Supported by funding from the Wellcome Trust, we are seeking a talented post-doctoral research associate to join the team in the group of Dr Andrew Edwards 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 Klebsiella.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a significant and growing global health threat. Of particular concern are Gram-negative bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, which possess two cell membranes and efficient efflux systems, which severely limit intracellular accumulation of antibiotic drugs. Given the limited understanding of how to develop antibiotics that can cross these membranes and accumulate within bacteria, we will take a systematic, data-driven approach to elucidate the chemical ‘rule book’ that determines small molecule penetration and accumulation in Klebsiella to guide rational design of next generation antibiotics

What you would be doing:

Your role will focus on understanding the biological aspects that influence small molecule accumulation in Klebsiella, for example via the generation of mutant strains. You will also determine the impact of bacterial physiology and strain diversity on accumulation.

You will be contributing to a dynamic and ambitious global project – the Gr-ADI initiative, funded by Wellcome Trust, that involves several groups around the world. At Imperial, you will work closely with a multidisciplinary team, across assay design, small molecule screens and chemical biology and microbiology (Prof Ed Tate, Prof Gad Frankel), ‘omics technologies (Dr Matt Child), data science (Dr Marko Storch) and AI/ML (Prof. Alessandra Russo, Prof. Ramon Villar, Prof. Mauricio Barahona). You will also contribute to wider aspects of the project such as supervising students and junior staff members, liaising with collaborators, preparing reports and publications, and presenting data at meetings.

The Edwards group is based in the Department of Infectious Disease and the Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology and encompasses scientists at all levels of experience.

What we are looking for:

Essential criteria :

• A PhD in bacteriology or related field.
• Experience in genetic manipulation of Gram-negative bacteria.
• Ability to work collaboratively, experience in experimental planning, troubleshooting, data analysis, and safe laboratory working practices.

Desirable: Experience in studying membrane biology and/or efflux systems in Gram-negative bacteria, especially, Klebsiella, knowledge of antibiotics and resistance, development of high-throughput assays and an understanding of AI/ML-based approaches to studying biology or chemistry. 

What we can offer you:

• Become part of a multidisciplinary team working on one of the major challenges in antibiotic drug discovery.
• The opportunity to develop your research career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further Information

This is a full-time, fixed-term (30 months) on-site post.

For further details please contact: Dr Andrew Edwards – a.edwards@imperial.ac.uk. 

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