Research Associate in Liposome Technologies at Imperial College

Imperial College London is seeking a Research Associate in Liposome Technologies to join an ambitious, ARIA-funded research programme developing liposome-based delivery systems for bacteriophages targeting mitochondria. Based within the Department of Chemical Engineering at the South Kensington Campus, this exciting opportunity combines drug delivery, synthetic biology, microfluidics, membrane engineering, and bacteriophage research to address one of the most challenging frontiers in intracellular therapeutics.

Within the internationally recognized Elani Lab, the ideal candidate will lead the design and optimization of liposome-based systems capable of delivering engineered bacteriophages into mitochondria. This research will directly contribute to the development of innovative intracellular therapeutic platforms with significant translational potential.

• Develop methods to encapsulate bacteriophages within liposomes
• Optimize formulations for stability, encapsulation efficiency, and targeted intracellular delivery
• Design and optimize microfluidic devices for controlled liposome production
• Utilize high-throughput screening platforms
• Improve reproducibility and scalability of encapsulation workflows
• Develop assays to quantify intracellular delivery efficiency
• Investigate interactions between bacteriophages and mitochondria
• Evaluate functional outcomes in mammalian cell culture systems
• Analyze delivery performance using fluorescence and biochemical techniques

The project is delivered in partnership with Symbiosis Lab, providing valuable exposure to both academic research and early-stage biotechnology innovation.

Applicants should possess:

• PhD (or near completion) in Chemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Biophysics, or a closely related field
• Equivalent industrial or research experience will also be considered
• Strong collaborative and interdisciplinary research experience
• Excellent scientific communication skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:
• Liposomes and lipid nanoparticles
• Biomembrane engineering
• Cell biology
• Fluorescence microscopy
• Biochemical assays
• Cell culture
• Automation and high-throughput screening
• Synthetic biology platforms