Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to work in the Reisner group in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, UK. The project is part of a European Research Council (ERC) and Leverhulme Trust funded project on protein electrochemistry and spectroscopy.
The ERC funded project (0.7 FTE) on 'Semi-artificial photosynthesis with wired enzymes' aims to integrate enzymes into porous electrodes to explore novel pathways for efficient solar-to-chemical conversion. We thereby address the need for new innovations in the solar fuels field and develop a new chemical biology platform, in which biological pathways can be systematically re-wired in vitro to characterise important metabolic processes, such as water splitting and CO2 utilisation. Central to this project is materials design (in particular 3D electrode architectures), where materials will be tailored to the dimensions and functions of the enzymes, as well as the development of spectroelectrochemical techniques to deepen our understanding of the enzyme-material interface. The Leverhulme Trust funded project (0.3 FTE) is closely connected with the goals of the ERC-project and will be executed in collaboration with Dr Maxie Roessler from Imperial College London (
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/m.roessler). This project on "Film-electrochemical EPR: a new method to investigate redox-based catalysis" is intended to pioneer EPR spectroelectrochemistry of immobilised proteins using porous metal oxide electrodes.
Applicants should have (or be about to obtain) a PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Spectroscopy or a closely related discipline. A strong background in bioelectrochemistry, catalysis, materials chemistry and/or spectroscopy are desirable for the position. The applicant should also have experience in coordinating activities as part of a larger interdisciplinary team. Candidates are encouraged to think outside of their formal field of training to fit into a creative, collaborative and dynamic research environment. A strong record of research productivity, reflected in a strong publication record as well as excellent communication, management and English writing skills will be required. The successful candidate will also be expected to help guiding undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as taking on laboratory management duties.
More information about the Reisner group, including relevant publications, can be found at
http://www-reisner.ch.cam.ac.uk/. Recent reviews on this topic are available here: Kornienko, Ly, Robinson, Heidary, Zhang & Reisner, Acc. Chem. Res. 2019, in print (DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00087); Kornienko, Zhang, Sakimoto, Yang & Reisner, Nature Nanotechn. 2018, 13, 890-899 (DOI: 10.1038/s41565-018-0251-7).
To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit :
http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/21403.
Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and include a publications list in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.
For queries relating to your application or the application process, please contact Inger Lomax (administrator of the Reisner laboratory) via email on
[email protected] Please quote reference MA19027 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
