Postdoctoral Research Associate

College of Life and Environmental Sciences

This full-time post is available immediately on a fixed term basis until 30 September 2024.

The post

The College wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Dr Jonathan Phillips. The successful applicant will study the conformational dynamics of proteins to understand and engineer their switching between functional states.  

In the Phillips laboratory we are interested in how molecules move, how that movement underpins functional behaviour and how we can control this to engineer new tools for medicine and biosensing. It is the ability for proteins to dynamically and rapidly reconfigure that underpins many critical activities in biology, disease and medicine. However, we are currently limited to study proteins, at high resolution in space or time – but not both. Our research aims to build dynamic structural models of how proteins function. Our core methodology is hydrogen/deuterium-exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), a powerful method to examine the structural dynamics of proteins in solution.

The post will be focused on using HDX-MS in combination with structural elucidation to study protein structural dynamics with the goal to understand and engineer protein structural and functional switching. The aim is to develop an approach to quantitatively measure – and use this to control - the structure, dynamics and stability of proteins. This will include HDX-MS, biophysical analysis, structural elucidation and fitting of data to mathematical models.

The Living Systems Institute (LSI) is a major new initiative by the University of Exeter designed to promote interdisciplinary research that transcends the boundaries of mathematics, engineering and the biological, medical and physical sciences. Its mission is to analyse living cells and organisms as integrated systems, with the aim of unravelling how diseases disrupt biological processes at the molecular, cellular and organismal level.

Our vision is to build a team of researchers who will work together across disciplines to identify new ways to diagnose, treat and cure disease in plants and animals, especially humans. Our goal is to identify common signatures of disease, irrespective of host or the precise mechanism of disease pathogenesis (i.e. whether caused by genetic changes or environmental agents).

About you

The successful applicant will be able to work independently and present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or be nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to generate, analyse and interpret data on protein structure, dynamics and stability. This may include expertise in structural mass spectrometry and structural elucidation of proteins. Knowledge of mass spectrometry is an advantage, but more important is a strong understanding of protein structural biology and biophysics.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2017.

Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today through this. 98% of our research is of international quality (2014 Research Excellence Framework). We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Further information

For further information please contact Dr Jonathan Phillips, e-mail [email protected] or telephone (01392) 727456.