Research Assistant in Engineering Biology

Fixed Term Contract for 12 months or until 30/06/2027, whichever is sooner 

Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £29,363 to £30,119 per annum 

Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire 

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a multidisciplinary team developing cutting-edge engineering biology-enabled sensors for detection of ‘forever chemical’, PFAS in water samples.

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated Research Assistant to help develop an innovative biosensing platform for detecting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), highly persistent environmental contaminants linked to health and ecological risks. Current analytical methods, such as LC-MS, are sensitive but costly, slow and unsuitable for field deployment. This project aims to create a low-cost, field-ready biosensor for ultrasensitive PFAS detection, integrating engineering biology, synthetic biology, molecular recognition and nucleic acid amplification.

You will contribute to a staged sensor development process, including generating and characterising PFOA-binding peptides, coupling molecular recognition with aptamer-triggered rolling circle amplification (RCA), and translating the chemistry into a paper-based sensor for use in the field. The work will take place within a multidisciplinary environment spanning molecular biology, biosensing and environmental monitoring. 

About You

You will hold a Master’s degree in a relevant biological discipline and have hands-on experience in bacterial culture and core molecular biology techniques such as PCR, cloning and nucleic acid handling. Strong experimental ability, good organisation and the capacity to work independently and collaboratively are essential. 

Experience with bacteriophages and bioinformatics is highly desirable. You should be enthusiastic about interdisciplinary research across natural sciences, engineering biology and metrology. The role offers the chance to contribute ideas to PFAS sensing and to help develop a rapid, low-cost biosensing prototype with potential industrial applications. 

You will join an active research team focused on environmental pollutant monitoring and receive training in engineering biology-based sensor design, molecular recognition systems, translational biosensing and environmental health monitoring. The position provides excellent preparation for a PhD, or careers in research and development, diagnostics and environmental technology. 

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here. 

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here. 

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here. 

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners. 

How to apply                                    

For an informal discussion, contact Dr Dhiman Chakravarty, dhiman.chakravarty@cranfield.ac.uk 

Apply now via the 'Apply' button above. For further details contact peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk quoting 5273. 

Closing date:   21/04/2026 

www.cranfield.ac.uk

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