Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Company

University of Edinburgh

Job description

Job Description:Grade UE07 – £39,347 – £46,974 per annumSchool of Biological Sciences / Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and BiotechnologyFixed Term: 48 months, 1st October 2024 – 30th September 2028Full time: 35 hours per weekWe are looking for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to lead a project on the valorisation of polyester-derived terephthalic acid into high value flavour and fragrance molecules using strain engineering and biocompatible chemistry. The project will be based in the lab of Dr Joanna Sadler in the Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology (IQB3).The Opportunity:Post-consumer plastic waste is emerging as a promising feedstock for the circular bioeconomy. We and others have engineered de novo biosynthetic pathways in microbial hosts to convert waste polyester-derived small molecules such as terephthalic acid and 3-hydroxybutyrate into higher-value chemical products such as vanillin, catechol and acetone, which are currently synthesized directly from fossil fuels at industrial scale (Green Chem., 2021, 23, 4665-4672; ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2024, 12, 7748-7756). This approach holds huge potential to improve the sustainability of the plastics and chemicals industries, however the scope of chemicals accessible by biological pathways alone is limited by the biocatalysts available. This project aims to address this by developing novel and scalable enzymatic pathways and biocompatible chemistries to upcycle plastic-derived monomers into high value flavour and fragrance molecules via one-pot, chemo-enzymatic pathways that exploit the ‘best of both worlds’ of biocatalysed and abiotic chemistry (ChemBioChem2020, 21, 3489-3491, RSC Chem. Biol. 2021, 2, 1073-1083).This project is part of the Preventing Plastic Pollution using Engineering Biology (P3EB) Mission Hub. P3EB is a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming end-of-life plastic waste using cutting-edge engineering biology technologies. Working in partnership with industry, we will impart value into plastic waste, incentivising its recovery and retention, and so reducing the amount destined for landfill, for incineration, or being discarded into the environment.The P3EB Mission Hub is a consortium of researchers and innovators assembled from the University of Portsmouth (lead), University of Edinburgh, Bangor University, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Manchester and University College London. The initiative will receive £11.2 million from the “UKRI Technology Missions Fund” over the next 5 years.As a P3EB Mission Hub member, you will have access to training in cross-disciplinary topics such as intellectual property, AI, and responsible research and innovation. You will also have opportunities to visit collaborators’ laboratories, engage in interdisciplinary research and innovation, participate in regular online Researcher Forums, and attend Annual General Meetings of the Mission Hub at locations across the UK.Your skills and attributes for success:

• PhD in an appropriate biological science (e.g. biocatalysis, microbial biotechnology, bioorganic chemistry or a related discipline)
• Experience of engineering E. coli for small molecule production
• Experience of bioorganic and/or organic chemistry, including common analytical techniques such as HPLC and NMR spectroscopy.
• Experience of developing, analysing and optimising new bioprocesses
• Enthusiasm for working in a multidisciplinary team at the interface of chemistry and biology

Click to view a copy of the full job descriptionAs a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our

(opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.Championing equality, diversity and inclusionThe University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our (opens new browser tab).The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker VisaKey dates to noteUnless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.Interviews will be held in August 2024.About Us: As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.About the Team:As the modern inheritors of our 400-year-old reputation for excellence, our staff and students contribute to a vibrant academic community whose visions are shaping tomorrow’s world. The School of Biological Sciences is at the leading edge in teaching, research and innovation. Independent rankings such as the Times Higher Education consistently place us amongst the top 25 universities in the world for biological sciences. We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and to recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development opportunities for all staff. We place a particular focus on development for early-career researchers (postgraduate and postdoctoral research staff and personal fellowship holders), offering mentoring and an active ‘BioDocSoc’ organisation that brings together researchers for networking, events and training opportunities.The School of Biological Sciences holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.Our contains more information about the School.

Expected salary

£39347 – 46974 per year

Location

United Kingdom

Job date

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 22:49:53 GMT

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