Research Associate in Synthetic Biology & Enzymology

Research Associate in Synthetic Biology & Enzymology
Manchester
£33,309 - £40,927 per annum depending on experience
Fixed term – Until 30 June 2024
Ref: SAE-018159

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be based in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) with Professor Jason Micklefield on the discovery and engineering of pathways to antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance and treat neglected diseases.

You will have a strong background in enzymology/biochemistry and/or microbial genetics which is relevant for biosynthetic pathway engineering in bacterial strains. You will also possess expertise/knowledge in enzyme engineering and in the genetic manipulation of biosynthetic/metabolic pathways. Some knowledge of bioinformatics and structural biology would also be beneficial.

New antibiotics are urgently required to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to treat neglected diseases in the developing world. Many antibiotics used in the clinic are derived from secondary metabolites, also known as natural products, assembled by nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), polyketide synthase (PKS) and other complex megasynthase. Many natural products have been isolated which have excellent biological activity, but possess undesirable properties (e.g. toxicity, low solubility or bioavailability) limiting their clinical utility. To address this, we will develop new approaches for discovering and bioengineering megasynthase assembly lines to optimized antibiotics and other bioactive natural products. The project builds on recent success in the Micklefield lab engineering novel enzymes and pathways to important bioactive molecules:
Nature 2021, 593, 391-398 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03447-w );
Nature Commun 2021, 12, 6872 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27139-1 );
Nature Catalysis 2018, 1, 977-984 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-018-0178-2 );
Nature Catalysis 2021, 4, 385-394 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-021-00603-3 );
Nature Commun 2016, 7, 11873 (https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms11873 );

We positively welcome applications from women, who are currently under-represented at this grade. Appointment will be made on merit.

The University will actively foster a culture of inclusion and diversity and will seek to achieve true equality of opportunity for all members of its community.

The School of Chemistry is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality in higher education. The School holds a Silver Award which recognises their good practice in relation to gender; including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and support to allow staff to achieve a good work-life balance. We particularly welcome applications from women for this post. Appointment will always be made on merit. For further information, please visit
We">http://www.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk/about-us/athena-swan/

We positively welcome applications from women, who are currently under-represented at this grade. Appointment will be made on merit.

The University will actively foster a culture of inclusion and diversity and will seek to achieve true equality of opportunity for all members of its community.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Blended working arrangements may be considered.

Enquiries:
• Vacancy, shortlisting and interviews: Professor Jason Micklefield at [email protected] or 0161 306 4509.
• General enquiries: [email protected]
• Technical support: https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

To apply, please click on the apply button to visit our website.

Closing date: 7 February 2022.

We particularly welcome applications from women for this post. Appointment will always be made on merit. For further information, please visit http://www.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk/about-us/athena-swan/ We positively welcome applications from women, who are currently under-represented at this grade. Appointment will be made on merit. The University will actively foster a culture of inclusion and diversity and will seek to achieve true equality of opportunity for all members of its community.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.