Technician in Protein Biochemistry and Molecular Glue Discovery

About the role:

We are seeking a talented technician to join the team in the group of Professor Ed Tate at Imperial College London. This role will support the production and characterisation of recombinant proteins for molecular glue discovery.

Molecular glues are an emerging class of small molecules which induce or stabilise protein-protein interactions, creating new opportunities to modulate biological processes and tackle ‘undruggable’ targets through induced proximity. Despite growing interest in the field, there remain limited approaches for the systematic discovery of molecular glues. As a result, there is a need for scalable and generalisable molecular glue discovery platforms that enable target proteins and compound libraries to be screened across the proteome.

To support these efforts, we are establishing workflows for the production and characterisation of recombinant proteins for use in proteomic, biochemical, biophysical and cell-based assays. The successful candidate will play a central role in generating high-quality protein reagents and supporting downstream studies that underpin molecular glue discovery.

What you would be doing:

Your role will focus on the expression, purification and characterisation of recombinant proteins using mammalian cell expression to support molecular glue discovery projects. You may also contribute to the development of biochemical or biophysical assays using these proteins. You will be contributing to a dynamic and ambitious research programme, working in a multidisciplinary team spanning chemical biology, proteomics and medicinal chemistry. In addition to your core activities, you will support the day-to-day running of the laboratory. This includes maintaining equipment, purchasing and organising consumables, disposal of biohazard and chemical waste, participating in laboratory duty rotas, and providing introductory training for new users.

The Tate group is culturally diverse and highly multidisciplinary, with project teams encompassing scientists at all levels of experience and from a variety of backgrounds (chemical biology, cell biology, proteomics, cancer biology, drug discovery, etc.). Technicians are expected to engage in the various projects across the Tate group and offer support on an ad-hoc basis as required outside of their core projects. We are looking for candidates who can thrive in this dynamic and creative environment and take optimal advantage of the many training opportunities it provides.

What we are looking for:

• A minimum of a BSc and/or MSc qualification in biochemistry, chemical biology, biotechnology, or a closely related field, or an equivalent level of professional qualifications and experience.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, protein purification and characterisation
• Knowledge of, data analysis, and safe laboratory working practices.

Desirable: Experience with HEK293, Expi293 or related mammalian expression systems; biochemical or biophysical assay development; experience with plate-based assays; experience of ternary-complex formation assays; relevant laboratory management; knowledge of the molecular glue field.

What we can offer you:

Working within the Tate group would give you the opportunity to work with >60 scientists at all levels from undergraduates to postdoctoral researchers with our state-of-the-art labs in West London, including the Agilent Measurement Suite and Imperial Drug Discovery Hub. You will be joining a team with an excellent track record in the areas of molecular glues and induced proximity mechanisms (https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c12299; https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c01420; 

Further Information

Starting in January 2027 (or as soon as possible thereafter).

If you require any further details on the role please contact: Professor Ed Tate: e.tate@imperial.ac.uk

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