Research Associate In Enzyme Engineering And Biocatalysis

Position: RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN ENZYME ENGINEERING AND BIO CATALYSIS
Location: Manchester

We seek to appoint an outstanding and ambitious early‑career scientist to a Research Associate position in Enzyme Engineering and Biocatalysis. The aim of the research is to develop enzymes with new and valuable catalytic functions using a range of computational and experimental techniques. The post is tenable for 18 months from 1st July 2026.

Research Focus
The successful candidate will work within Prof Buller's research team based in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB), with close collaboration across Prof Anthony Green's group (MIB) and Prof David Baker's group at the Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington. The project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focuses on engineering pyridoxal‑phosphate‑dependent decarboxylative aldolases for the stereo selective synthesis of γ‑hydroxy non‑canonical amino acids and downstream 1,3‑amino alcohols of relevance to antitubercular drug discovery.

Responsibilities
The successful candidate will work within the research team, contributing to the development of computational models and experimental protocols for enzyme engineering. Tasks include designing mutagenesis libraries, expressing proteins in

E. coli, conducting high‑throughput screening, and analyzing stereo selective synthesis outcomes.

Qualifications
You should hold a PhD (or equivalent) in Chemistry or a closely related discipline, with a strong synthetic organic chemistry background and demonstrated experience applying biocatalysis to stereo selective synthesis. Familiarity with heterologous protein expression in

E. coli, synthesis of functionalised ketones, or high‑throughput screening would each be advantageous; full training in directed evolution and protein engineering will be provided. You should be capable of working under your own initiative while collaborating effectively with academic partners across institutions, so excellent communication and organisational skills are essential.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Department of Chemistry is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality in higher education. The Department holds a Silver Award which recognises their good practice in relation to gender, including flexible working arrangements, family‑friendly policies, and support to allow staff to achieve a good work‑life balance. We particularly welcome applications from women for this post.

Appointments will always be made on merit.

Benefits

Generous employer‑contribution pension

29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure

Ride to work and EV car scheme available

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