Senior Research Assistant in Biosciences

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will support the Principal Investigator in delivery of research activity for the "Fibre Fusion: Circular Manufacturing of Water Repelling Bacterial Cellulose Through a Biological Approach" project. We are seeking a highly committed, motivated, and creative scientist to join the research team on this new BBSRC-funded project. The project will involve bioinformatics analysis of protein structures, production of recombinant proteins, protein engineering, optimisation of recombinant protein expression, bacterial cellulose production and modification, and physical and mechanical testing, of cellulose materials. The goal of this research is to develop water repelling cellulosic materials through novel biological approaches. The initial contract post ends on 28th  February 2025.

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the job description .

This research project is being delivered within the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE, www.bbe.ac.uk ), a £8M initiative between Northumbria and Newcastle Universities. HBBE develop biotechnologies to create a new generation of buildings which are responsive to their environment, grown using engineered living materials, metabolise their own waste, and modulate their microbiome to benefit human health. This project will be based in the HBBE labs in the Department of Applied Sciences at Northumbria University (https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/applied-sciences ). 

Applicants should hold a PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry or related subject and have demonstrable specialist expert knowledge in protein engineering. The expertise in biomaterials and biofabrication is desirable. Experiences in material testing is also desirable.  You should be able to work independently and as part of a team, and also possess multitasking abilities. Excellent communication (written and oral) and organisation skills are essential, and evidence in initiating and delivery scientific publication is required.

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification .

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact 

Dr Meng Zhang ([email protected] ).