Research Associate

Location: South Kensington, London 

Job Summary

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.

Duties and responsibilities

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

Essential requirements

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.

Further information

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 visit our website: www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs . You will find this vacancy by searching either the position title or job number: ENG02935.  Candidates will need to complete an online application.

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.

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.

[SS1]  [SS1] This will normally be Research Assistant, Research Associate or Research Assistant/Associate but can also be more specific such as Research Assistant/Associate in Cell Biology etc…

Recruitment Administrators, please note that the Job Requisition should only say Research Assistant or Associate; any specific title should be used for advertising purposes only . This can be amended at the posting stage.