Research Associate

The Department of Chemical Engineering is seeking a researcher to undertake work on novel vaccine formulations for existing and novel vaccine production processes. This is part of a wider Future Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub, led by Imperial’s Faculty of Medicine and involving several UK universities, international companies, and partner institutions in multiple countries worldwide.

This position is expected to design, synthesize and test novel carriers to enhance the stability and delivery of RNA agents for vaccine applications.

Some of your key responsibilities will include:

• Working with project partners on improving existing vaccine formulation approaches
• Synthesise RNA agents (saRNA, mRNA) for in vitroand in vivo experiments
• Design new formulations based on lipids, ionic liquids, and polymers for effective RNA delivery
• Develop formulations for stabilizing RNA from thermal, chemical and biochemical degradation
• Perform cell-based assays for formulation characterisation, including cell transfection experiments

The successful candidate will have a first degree (or equivalent) in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biology, Chemistry/Biochemistry or a related discipline and a PhD (or equivalent) in the field of Chemical Biology, Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, or vaccine technology.  You will have knowledge of vaccines and formulation strategies as well as synthetic chemistry. 

You will be able to perform experiments in cell culture, wet chemistry lab and all accompanying analytical biology and chemistry techniques, produce clear written reports and presentations and have the ability to collect and manipulate data. 

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £40,694 – £43,888 per annum.

You can start immediately and the contract will run for 24 months in the first instance, with the possibility of extension subject to research funding. The post is based in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London (South Kensington Campus).

Informal enquiries about the post can be made to Dr Talia A Shmool ([email protected] ) and Professor Jason Hallett ([email protected] ).

To apply, please click the Apply now button at the top of the page. Please ensure you include a completed application form with your submission. 

Further information about the post is available in the job description.

Should you have any queries about the application process please contact [email protected] . 

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 4th February 2024

For technical issues when applying online please email [email protected]  

The College is currently trialling a Work Location Framework until early 2023.  Hybrid working may be considered for this role and the role holder may be expected to work 60% or more of their time onsite, with 40% the minimum time spent onsite.  The opportunity for hybrid working will be discussed at interview. 

The College is a proud signatory to the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA),which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information, see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-evaluation/

 The College believes that the use of animals in research is vital to improve human and animal health and welfare. Animals may only be used in research programmes where their use is shown to be necessary for developing new treatments and making medical advances. Imperial is committed to ensuring that, in cases where this research is deemed essential, all animals in the College’s care are treated with full respect, and that all staff involved with this work show due consideration at every level.

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-integrity/animal-research / 

 Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment. We are an Athena SWAN Silver award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and work in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.