Research Associate in Gram-negative Pathogen Genome Engineering

Location: South Kensington Campus

About the role:

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the newly announced Gram-negative Antimicrobial Innovator (Gr-ADI) programs, launched by the Wellcome Trust, the Gates Foundation, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. You will be involved in a multidisciplinary drug discovery project that aims to tackle the challenge of Klebsiella antimicrobial resistance by defining a rulebook for small molecule cellular accumulation and compiling a proteome-scale atlas of chemically tractable vulnerabilities.

The project will accomplish this by 1) using high-throughput mass-spectrometry and machine learning to discover the chemical rules of cellular accumulation, and 2) establishing a high-throughput precision mutagenesis pipeline to functionally annotate chemically tractable amino acids on new drug targets. Together, we will discover new drug targets, map where to therapeutically target them to affect their function, and understand how to get molecules to accumulate appropriately to access those targets.

What you would be doing:

As the lead Research Associate for the microbial genome engineering aspect of the project, you will be responsible developing a high-throughput genome engineering platform for Klebsiella to discover and validate new drug targets to help tackle AMR. You will be working as part of a large multidisciplinary team that draws together deep expertise in Gram-negative pathogen biology, mathematics, computational biology, digital chemistry, chemoproteomics, genome engineering and drug discovery. As part of the international Gr-ADI consortia of laboratories, and the Imperial GSK-Fleming Institute you will have a unique opportunity to engage with research within the context of these new academic-industrial partnerships.

What we are looking for:

• Experienced research scientist with a PhD in Microbiology or a related discipline
• Extensive experience working with Gram-negative bacteria (ideally Klebsiella)
• Experience integrating genome engineering workflows with phenotypic screens
• Practical experience in a broad range of techniques including genome engineering of bacteria, ideally using CRISPR-based approaches and Lambda red recombineering
• Practical experience working with robotic instrumentation and automation workflows (e.g. Kingfisher liquid handlers)
• Deep expertise in the generation and analysis of next-generation sequencing data
• An enthusiastic individual with a strong work ethic and a positive ‘can do’ attitude
• Individuals with a passion for interdisciplinary science
• Experience working on team-based projects.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue your 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.
• The chance to work alongside senior scientific leaders from Imperial and GSK, at the forefront of a new and highly ambitious academic-industrial partnership tacking AMR.

Further Information

Candidates should be available to start at the earliest opportunity.

This role is for a fixed-term contract for up to 36 months, with the potential to extend should additional funding become available.

You will be based at South Kensington Campus, with some travel to White City Campus required.

If you require any further details about the role, please contact: Dr Matthew Child – m.child@imperial.ac.uk

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