Research Associate/ Senior Research Associate in AI-Enabled Enzyme Engineering for PET Biorecycling

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Salary
Research Associate: £37,369 - £46,970 per annum.
Senior Research Associate: £48,337 - £51,258 per annum.

The Role
The Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre (EBIC - https://ebicentre.co.uk/ ), of which ICOS (https://ico2s.org) is a member, brings together scientists from leading UK institutions in a mission to engineer the properties and functions of microorganisms, creating more effective ways to monitor the environment, remove pollutants and support a circular bioeconomy.

We are seeking a Research Associate or Senior Research Associate to manage the experimental delivery of an AI- and bioinformatics-augmented, high-throughput platform for discovering and engineering enzymes that depolymerise polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PETase-like sequences will be prioritised, expressed, screened and improved through rapid Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycles.

You will combine synthetic biology, enzyme engineering, and bioinformatics to improve PETase, MHETase/BHETase, and PET-binding modules for PET degradation.

You will work closely with Professor Natalio Krasnogor, the wider ICOS and EBIC teams and international collaborators at PROIMI-CONICET in Argentina. You will establish reproducible protocols and structured data capture, coordinate delivery against milestones, publish high-quality research and help translate the platform towards industrially credible PET valorisation. Appointment at Senior Research Associate level will reflect a stronger record of independent management, supervision, partnership working, translation, research development and commercial/industrial experience.

This post includes travel within the UK and internationally, including visits to collaborator laboratories and conferences, as required for the project and subject to reasonable adjustments.

A completed doctorate in a relevant discipline is essential for appointment at either level.

For an informal conversation about the opportunity, please contact Professor Natalio Krasnogor at Natalio.Krasnogor@newcastle.ac.uk.

This role is full-time and fixed-term for a period up to 31.03.29.

To apply, please upload a CV and letter of application which outlines how your skills, experiences and knowledge align with the person specification below.

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