Research Fellow (78767-1021)

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Warwick, ENGLAND
Deadline: 09 Nov 2021

Vacancy Type/Job category
Research Only
Department
Chemistry
Salary
£31,406 - £40,927 per annum
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry
Vacancy Overview
Full time, fixed term contract for up to 12 months.
Start date: 1 February 2022 or soon there after.
A Research Fellow position (funded by BBSRC/FAPESP) is available for 12 months starting from 1st February 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter, working in the research group of Prof T D H Bugg, in the Chemical Biology Research Cluster in the Department of Chemistry at University of Warwick.
The project will require a researcher with experience of molecular genetics (preferably in hosts other than Escherichia coli), and experience of working with enzymes, with a PhD in either biochemistry or biotechnology or chemistry or microbiology.
Under the supervision of Professor Bugg, you will carry out molecular genetics in bacterial hosts, you will carry out microbial fermentation, and you will use bio-analytical methods such as HPLC and GC-MS to monitor metabolite production. You will report regularly on progress to Prof. Bugg, and attend regular meetings with project partner groups in the UK and Brazil. You must be able to work without supervision, using good laboratory practice. Applicants should have PhD in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry or Microbiology, and should have practical experience of molecular genetics and working with enzymes.
This position is funded by a research grant from the BBSRC/FAPESP Integrated Biorefinery Programme, in the research group of Professor Tim Bugg in Chemistry at the University of Warwick, as part of a consortium involving Prof. Nick Turner (University of Manchester) and Prof. Gary Lye (UCL) and Dr Fabio Squina (Univ Sorocaba, Brazil). The aim of the whole project is to develop new biotechnological methods for bioconversion of lignin by engineered micro-organisms into high-value aromatic chemicals for pharmaceutical and fragrance chemical applications.
If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant on level 5 of the University grade structure (£30,497). Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of the level 6 of the University grade structure (£31,406).
Athena SWAN Silver Award
We are committed to supporting staff to achieve their potential. Both the Department of Chemistry and the University of Warwick hold Athena SWAN silver awards, a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression, and success for all in academia. We provide a welcoming and inclusive working and learning environment, recognising that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010. We are supportive of staff with caring responsibilities.
Interview Date: TBC.
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE:
You will carry out research into the biotechnology of bacterial lignin degradation in the research group of Prof. T.D.H. Bugg, as part of a project funded by BBSRC and FAPESP.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Engineering of bacterial lignin degraders to produce aromatic bioproducts from lignin
2. Cloning and expression of genes encoding bacterial lignin-degrading enzymes and accessory proteins
3. Genetic modification in non-Escherichia coli hosts for degradation of lignin
4. Biotransformation of lignin and lignocellulose using lignin-degrading enzymes by fermentation (from small scale to fermentor scale)
5. Presentation of results to research groups of TDHB and project partner groups in UK (Manchester, UCL) and Brazil (CTBE)
6. Responsibilities for research group and equipment maintenance
7. Supervision of undergraduate and MSc project students.
8. To act with professionalism at all times and show respect to their colleagues and to understand and adhere to the University's value of dignity at work; they are also expected to work collegially and to support all the teams with which they have contact in achieving the University's objectives.
9. Any other duties commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the necessary experience and/or training.

Person Specification

The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.


Essential Criteria 1
PhD in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry or Microbiology (a)
Essential Criteria 2
Experience in molecular genetics, including bacteria other than Escherichia coli (a,c)
Essential Criteria 3
Experience of working with micro-organisms, including bacteria other than Escherichia coli (a,c)
Essential Criteria 4
Experience in working with enzymes (a,c)
Essential Criteria 5
Proven track record in relevant scientific area, in the form of publications and oral presentations (a)
Essential Criteria 6
Ability to plan, devise, organise, implement and deliver research to agreed deadlines (a,c)
Essential Criteria 7
Excellent communication skills (c)
Essential Criteria 8
Ability to write and give presentations to research group and research audiences in UK & Brazil (c)
Essential Criteria 9
Interest in interdisciplinary science and willingness to learn new techniques (a,c)
Essential Criteria 10
An ability to work collaboratively and effectively with academic and administrative colleagues, and with colleagues outside the University to promote collegiality. (a,c)
Desirable Criteria 1
Experience in microbial fermentation (a,c)
Desirable Criteria 2
Experience in bio-analytical methods such as HPLC and mass spectroscopy (a,c)
Desirable Criteria 3
Excellent writing skills (a,c)
Further Particulars
The aims of the post at Warwick are: 1) to engineer microbial strain Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 to convert ferulic acid into high-value chemicals; 2) to carry out small scale fermentation to produce aromatic products from lignin, and to analyse their production. At the University of Warwick, you will work as a postdoctoral research assistant in the research group of Prof. Tim Bugg, in the Department of Chemistry.
What we offer
We will provide you with a great range of benefits, which include an attractive pension scheme, 30 days’ holiday plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, onsite childcare facilities. We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer you access to flexible working, for more information visit our Rewards and Benefits webpage.
We also have an excellent relocation package; to assess whether you may be entitled, please see details on the following page
https://warwick.ac.uk/services/humanresources/vacancies/relocation/.
For more information about Right to Work in the UK click here https://warwick.ac.uk/services/humanresources/vacancies/righttowork/. There are other immigration routes which may be applicable depending on family or ancestral links you may have with the UK. We advise that you check if any of these routes are open to you https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars .
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website .
A summary of the facilities available to Warwick Chemistry are given in
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/chemistry/research/chemistryoverview
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/chemistry/research/
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK points-based immigration system please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.
The University of Warwick provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting every individual’s differences. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.


Closing Date
9 Nov 2021

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