Research Assistant/Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Short Term Position (3 months Full time/part time) in Protein Engineering Applications are invited for a Research Assistant/Research Associate to work to work with Professor Lisa Hall on a project entitled HANDI-NAT: Nucleic acid amplification of microbial load in drinking water supply- a project funded by the Leverhulme Trust, designing a self-reporting Bst polymerase for use in Loop Mediated Nucleic Acid Amplification (LAMP). The project will be undertaken together with Professor Alex Routh's group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. 

The project seeks to design a field-useable low-cost nucleic acid test for microbial load in community drinking water supplies in low and middle income countries (LMICs). It addresses the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goal identifying water inequality as a priority to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

The post holder will bring together the final components of an engineered Bst polymerase to test its performance in LAMP reactions and its capacity to give a direct colorimetric signal linked with microbial contamination. Candidates should be expert in engineering of proteins and proficient in nucleic acid testing and molecular biology. They should have a PhD or experience in a relevant area, with a strong underpinning understanding and laboratory expertise in the enabling techniques.

Responsibilities:

• To optimise and adjust (as required) the designed Bst polymerase fusion protein.
• Build the fusion constructs.
• Develop the testing protocol to establish detection limits for some model microbial contaminants.

If time allows:

• Undertake some field trials at UK based sites of environmental interest, prior to delivering the system to collaborators in LMICs 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 months in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD; those without a PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Please quote reference NQ48650 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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