Postdoctoral Research Associate

Role Description:

Background and Department

The Mackinder Lab at the University of York is recruiting a postdoc to engineer a liquid-liquid phase separated (LLPS) Rubisco organelle to enhance CO2-fixation. The synthetic in vitro CO2 uptake mechanism you will develop will guide engineering efforts to improve crop photosynthetic performance to enhance yields and CO2 fixation capacity. You will be part of an international collaboration involving the Universities of York, Edinburgh and Princeton.

Photosynthesis drives life on Earth. However, the passive diffusion of CO2 from the surrounding environment to Rubisco’s active site can limit photosynthesis. To overcome this, algae evolved CO2-concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) to concentrate CO2 in the proximity of Rubisco resulting in increased photosynthetic rates. Critical to CCM function is biomolecular condensation of Rubisco into a LLPS organelle called the pyrenoid. The Mackinder lab focuses on the discovery, characterization and synthetic assembly of CCM components in diverse algae. Recent discoveries (Mackinder et al. 2016, PNAS 113:5958–5963; Mackinder et al. 2017, Cell 171:133-147; Freeman Rosenzweig et al. 2017, Cell 171:148-162; Meyer et al. 2020, Science Advances 6:eabd2408; Lau et al. 2023, Plant Cell 35:3260–3279) are guiding pyrenoid-based CCMs in plants (Atkinson et al. 2020, Nature Comms 11:6303).

Role

Within the project, you will be the lead on assembling a multi-component synthetic CCM in vitro. You will design, build and test synthetic pyrenoid components. You will attach liquid-liquid phase separated Rubisco to liposomes containing bicarbonate channels and test functionality using established assays to monitor bicarbonate transport across membranes and to determine Rubisco activity. You will interact closely with algal cell biologists, cellular modellers and plant engineers to transfer knowledge across systems. You will have opportunities to visit Edinburgh and Princeton University to develop new skills. You will have a lead role, with guidance and supervision from senior colleagues. In addition, you will assist in the identification and development of potential areas of research, the development of proposals for independent or collaborative research projects, and the writing of research papers for publication.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

You will have experience in the in vitro assembly of multi-component systems. You will have excellent biochemistry skills along with preferable expertise in membrane biology, proteo-liposomes, biophysics and/or synthetic biology. You will have an interest in the subject matter of the project and possess a PhD in a relevant field to the subject matter. You will have attention to detail, a commitment to performing high quality research, the ability to solve complex challenges, and a collaborative ethos with a willingness to work positively and proactively with colleagues. You will have the ability to efficiently meet deadlines and have the initiative to plan research programmes. Excellent communication skills are essential and you should be keen to develop project/team leadership skills.

Interview date: TBC

For informal enquiries: Please contact Luke Mackinder ([email protected] ). Further information about the Mackinder Lab is available at: www.mackinderlab.com. For an alternative contact, please email [email protected] .

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We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

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