Postdoctoral Research Associate in Synthetic Biologics (10301)

The Rosalind Franklin Institute (the Franklin) is a national Research Centre, funded by the UK government through UK Research and Innovation, dedicated to bringing about transformative changes in life science through interdisciplinary research and technology.

Within the Next Generation Chemistry theme, one of the aims is to realise the full potential of synthetic methods applied in biological systems as possible therapeutics. Within this theme, you will develop hypothesis-focused systems that will explore the potential of synthetic biomolecules in potentially therapeutic or diagnostic scenarios. In particular, we will explore novel methods for editing biomolecules.

The project is a collaboration with Novo Nordisk and other themes at the Franklin as well as other potential industrial and academic collaborators and experts in the UK and beyond. The post, which is for 2 years in the first instance, reports to the Franklin’s Theme Lead for Chemistry, and will work alongside other researchers in the Franklin and at partner university institutes including at the University of Oxford (where the group is jointly based).

Responsibilities

You will:
- Embrace the primary project of the role, namely developing various synthetic protein and sugar systems based on natural scaffolds and testing their capabilities in putative therapeutic and diagnostic (including cellular and in vivo) scenarios.
- Collaborate with industrial and academic partners (especially on cellular application).
- Collaborate with other researchers on design hypotheses.
- Work with other themes and researchers to develop the burgeoning Franklin environment to be as suitable as possible for such work.
- Develop the scientific scope of the project, formulate relevant research questions, conduct individual research, analysing detailed and complex qualitative and/or quantitative data from a variety of sources, and generate original ideas by building on existing concepts.
- Work together with the surrounding facilities to ensure efficient protein production and chemistry at the Franklin and Harwell environment.
- Publish research articles in leading academic journals.
- Present findings at national and international meetings/conferences.
- Take a formal or informal role (as required) in the supervision of research students, including recruitment, mentorship and career development.
- Raise research funds through grant applications, and manage own area of a larger research budget.
- Participate in and support the public engagement and widening access activities of the Franklin
- Any other duties that come up in the normal running of the facility and that can be reasonably requested of the post-holder.

In return we offer:
- 25 days holidays + site close for Christmas (in addition to your allowance)
- Hybrid working
- Generous pension scheme (employer’s contribution currently up to 18%)
- Training and development opportunities for staff at all levels
- Bus pass discount scheme
- Access to employee discount platform via Perkbox (discounts/wellbeing/Employee Assistance/counselling)
- Occupational Health services
- Health cash plan
- Access to wellbeing resources through Thrive
- Subsidised on-site canteen
- Free on-site parking
- Campus location in beautiful countryside with social and sports clubs open to staff

About us:
The Rosalind Franklin Institute is a new national Research Centre, funded by the UK government through UK Research and Innovation, dedicated to bringing about transformative changes in life science through interdisciplinary research and technology.

Location:
The Franklin is based in Harwell Campus, UK’s innovation hub and well-established as one of the leading science and innovation campuses in Europe.

At the Rosalind Franklin Institute we welcome applications from all around the world!

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