Research Assistant/Research Associate in Structural Enzymology

Salary:

Research Assistant: £31,396 to £32,982 per annum

Research Associate: £33,966 to £36,024 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 30 April 2024

The Role

The school of natural and environmental sciences are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Research Assistant or Research Associate to join the laboratory of Professor Paul Race. This position is based within the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Group, at Newcastle University. 

The Diels-Alder reaction is one of the most effective methods for the synthesis of substituted cyclohexenes and is considered the prototypical pericyclic reaction. Despite its unquestionable usefulness, detrimental features include general requirements for harsh reaction conditions (heat, pressure, metal catalysts) and may lead to mixtures of products. These complexities have fuelled recent efforts focused on the discovery and development of protein catalysts for this reaction, which hold promise in offering stereoselective 'green' routes to cyclohexenes at room temperature and pressure. This project will combine protein X-ray crystallography with biophysical and biochemical methods to characterise natural Diels-Alderases and explore their utility in the (bio)synthesis of pharmaceutical lead compounds. You will work in close collaboration with researchers based at the University of Bristol and at our industrial partner AstraZeneca, in realising the potential of Diel-Alder biocatalysts.

The Race lab embraces a diverse, inclusive, and sympathetic research culture. The lab provides an exceptional setting in which to carry out the proposed research project and benefits from multiple national, international and industrial collaborations, which add significant value to our research activity. You will be based in shared laboratory space with other members of the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Group, ensuring a stimulating and supportive work environment.

You will be encouraged to engage with a plethora of School and Faculty level Early Career Researcher initiatives and will be made aware of access to the University Wellbeing & Support Services. Moreover, Newcastle University provides several training and development courses that you will have the opportunity to undertake.

This post is full time, fixed term for a period of 33.4 months, with a start date of around May 2024.

For informal enquiries contact: paul.race1@newcastle.ac.uk

To apply, please upload your CV and a letter of application that outlines how you can evidence the knowledge, skills and experience requirements in the person specification below.

For more information about the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences please click here.

Key Accountabilities

•    Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value'
•    Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
•    Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
•    Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
•    Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
•    Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
•    Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
•    May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants
•    Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the School
•    May contribute to events involving the public engagement of science
•    Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 
•    Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
•    Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects
•    High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
•    Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
•    Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment
•    Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications
•    Evidence of previous high-quality work published in this or a relevant/related area
•    Prior extensive experience of recombinant protein production in E. coli, including expression and purification strategies
•    Experience in the elucidation of protein structures, specifically of Diels-Alderases, using X-ray crystallography, including protein crystallisation, X-ray diffraction data collection and processing, and structure elucidation
•    Experience in biochemical/biophysical protein characterisation and in vitro enzyme assays
•    Excellent scientific writing skills
•    Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of natural product biosynthesis, specifically the spirotetronates
•    Prior experience of working with industrial partners
•    Bioinformatics studies

Desirable
•    Ability to write publications in collaboration with other team members
•    Presentation of research findings to industrial partners
•    Established information technology and computing skills

Attributes and Behaviour
•    Capacity for original thought
•    Willingness to work flexibly by mutual arrangement
•    Clear commitment to a career in research
•    Applicants should be ambitious with a demonstrable drive to succeed and produce work at the highest level
•    Ability to work independently or as part of a team
•    Willingness to supervise Undergraduate and MRes students

Qualifications
•    A PhD in chemistry, biochemistry or molecular biology (required for appointment at Associate level)
•    Honours degree in chemistry, biochemistry or molecular biology (for appointment at Assistant level)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 26900