Research Assistant in Applied Sciences

About you role

Working as part of multi-disciplinary teams, you will support the Principal Investigator in delivery of research activity on the "Enzymatic upcycling of textile waste into biodegradable mycelium leather". We are seeking a highly committed, motivated and creative scientist to join the research team on this new BBSRC funded research project. The project will involve investigating the growth of fungal mycelium on a range of growth substrates as well investigating the enzymatic degradation of fungal mycelium and mycelium leather products. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop sustainable manufacturing process for mycelium leather products.

Further information is available in the job description.

The role is fixed term until February 2025.

About the team

This Research Project is being delivered within the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE, www.bbe.ac.uk ) is a £8M initiative between Northumbria and Newcastle Universities. HBBE develop biotechnologies to create a new generation of buildings which are responsive to their environment, grown using engineered living materials, metabolise their own waste, and modulate their microbiome to benefit human health. The HBBE is based in the Department of Applied Sciences (www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/applied-sciences ).

About you

Applicants should hold a PhD in microbiology, biochemistry or related subject and have demonstrable specialist expert knowledge in growth of fungal mycelium. Expertise in biomaterials and biofabrication is also desirable. You should be able to work independently and as part of a team, and also present multitasking abilities. Excellent communication (written and oral) and organisation skills are essential, and evidence in initiating and delivery scientific publication are required.

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification .

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr Paul James ([email protected] ).