Research Associate in Mass Spectrometry

Job reference: SAE-031645
Salary: £37,694 - £46,049 per annum depending on relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Manchester Institute of Biotechnology
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Chemistry
Hours Per Week: Full time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 06/07/2026
Contract Duration: Fixed term for 36 months
School/Directorate: School of Natural Sciences

Overall purpose of the job

The post-holder will lead the mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and lipidomics analysis of samples derived from alpha-synuclein filament preparations and related experimental systems. The aim is to discover, identify and quantify small molecules, lipids or other non-proteinaceous components that may be associated with disease-relevant alpha-synuclein filament structures. You will develop and apply discovery metabolomics workflows, targeted mass spectrometry methods and robust chemometric approaches to compare sample classes, prioritise molecular features, assign molecular identities and support mechanistic interpretation.

The role will involve accurate mass measurements, LC-MS, tandem MS, ion mobility mass spectrometry and, where appropriate, advanced structural lipid analysis approaches. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team and will be expected to interact closely with structural biologists, neuropathologists, protein biochemists and computational scientists. The post would suit a metabolomics expert with strong experience in mass spectrometry data analysis and chemometrics, and an interest in neurodegeneration, protein aggregation and molecular mechanisms of disease.

You will be responsible for:

• Develop, optimise and apply LC-MS-based discovery metabolomics and lipidomics workflows for complex biological samples.
• Analyse samples associated with alpha-synuclein filament preparations, including material derived from immunoprecipitation and filament-removal workflows.
• Use accurate mass, retention time, isotope patterns, tandem MS and ion mobility data to support molecular annotation and identification.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• Hold, or expect to hold shortly, a PhD in analytical chemistry, metabolomics, lipidomics, mass spectrometry, chemical biology, biochemistry, biomedical science or a closely related discipline.
• Strong practical experience in mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, lipidomics or small-molecule profiling.
• Experience of LC-MS and tandem MS methods for untargeted and/or targeted molecular analysis.
• Proven ability to process, analyse and interpret complex mass spectrometry datasets.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of ion mobility mass spectrometry.
• Experience of structural lipidomics, including double-bond localisation approaches.
• Experience with UVPD, ozone-induced dissociation, ozonolysis workflows or other advanced fragmentation approaches.

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Perdita Barran

Email Address: perdita.barran@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries and administrative support

recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

Advert information