Post Doctoral Research Associate – Cryo-EM of Membrane Proteins

Post Doctoral Research Associate – Cryo-EM of Membrane Proteins
Harwell, Oxfordshire
£33,963 - £39,955 dependent upon skills and experience
Full time / Flexible hours considered
3 Years / Months fixed term

About Us
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility, and a leading scientific facility of its type in the world. By accelerating electrons to near light-speed, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra-red to X-rays which are used for academic and industry research and development across a range of scientific disciplines.

Diamond also houses the electron Bioimaging Centre, the UK’s national cryo-electron microscopy facility, which provides state-of-the art cryo-EM facilities free at the point of access to academic users. The Membrane protein laboratory at Diamond was established in 2007 to provide a state-of-the art facility to support the efficient determination of relevant membrane protein structures and has contributed to at least one membrane protein structure a year since 2010.

About the Role
We now have an opportunity for a motivated scientist to take on a post-doctoral research position between the Membrane Protein Laboratory (MPL) and the electron Bioimaging Centre (eBIC) based at Diamond.

The successful candidate will focus on a set of integral membrane proteins associated with childhood dementia and develop new strategies and approaches to aid structure determination. To facilitate this the successful candidate will work with state of the art equipment that includes the microscopes within eBIC and high-throughput protein production facilities in the MPL.

The role will also involve developing new expression and sample delivery methods as well as different data collection strategies using both cryo-single particle analysis (cryo-SPA) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET).

In addition to these research activities the successful candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute a small amount of their time to the MPL and eBIC user programmes. This involves facilitating data collection on the eBIC microscopes and sample preparation for EM at the MPL.

About You
You will have an appropriate Science Degree and PhD, along with proven experience and research interest in relevant areas.

You should have experience of working with membrane proteins and be familiar with electron microscopy. Experience of molecular biology, mammalian cell biology or linux based computing would be advantageous

You will display good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills in order to interact with facility staff and users at all levels.

Benefits
Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to ensure an excellent work/life balance including 25 days’ annual leave, 13 days statutory and company holidays, flexible working hours, an onsite nursery, an excellent pension scheme, and social and sporting activities.

To Apply
Diamond is a thriving international organisation, attracting a diverse range of talented individuals from around the world. Our staff currently comprises 39 nationalities and we welcome applications from everyone interested in joining us.

Applicants are required to outline their suitability for this role via the online application process. Please also state where you saw this role advertised.

The closing date for applications is 15 March 2020, however, we encourage early applications as candidates will be reviewed and considered on an ongoing basis.