Research Assistant/Associate in Structural Biology

Salary:Research Assistant - £31,396 - £32,982 per annumResearch Associate £33,966- £36,024 per annumNewcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent . 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: 17 June 2024The RoleThe Structural Biology laboratory of Prof. Wyatt Yue based within the Biosciences Institute is seeking a Research Assistant/Associate to drive a multi-disciplinary project combining medicinal chemistry, biophysics and cell-based assays in the hit-to-lead development of small molecule inhibitors targeting a rare metabolic disease.You will carry out recombinant expression and purification of human metabolic enzymes, as well as biophysical and biochemical characterisation of enzyme-ligand interactions. You will collaborate with project partners in medicinal chemistry and cell biology.This post is fixed term for a period of 12 months in the first instance.For informal enquiries contact:Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here:Find out more about our Research Institutes here:As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.Key Accountabilities

• Working under the general guidance of Principal Investigator, you will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project, thus providing substantial 'added value'
• Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment in Structural Biology, protein biophysics and cell-based assays
• Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for research 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 for the field of Structural Biology and inborn errors of metabolism
• 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
• May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science
• Develop an awareness of undertaking personal professional development

Job-specific responsibilities

• Recombinant protein production in different host expression systems
• Biophysical studies involving enzyme kinetics and ligand binding, (ITC, SPR, BLI)
• Protein-ligand co-structures using x-ray crystallography and/or cryo-electron microscopy
• Cell-based target engagement assays

The Person (Essential)Knowledge, Skills and ExperienceEssential

• Detailed subject knowledge in the areas of metabolic enzymes and disorders
• Likelihood of advanced skills in the fields of protein biochemistry and Structural Biology, directly related to the research projects
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability in protein biochemistry and Structural Biology
• Experience in applying Structural Biology and biophysical methods to characterize metabolic enzymes
• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills, delivering agreed milestones, and productive interactions with external collaborators
• Experience in presentations at conferences and/or writing for high-quality publications

Desirable

• Experience in HEK293T expression system
• Experience in cryo-EM structure determination

Attributes and BehaviourEssential

• Excellent time management, analysis and presentation skills
• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage multiple deadlines in collaboration with project partners
• Keeping up to date with new / improved techniques, knowledge, skills and research
• Excellent written, oral communication, intellectual, numeracy and creative problem-solving skills

Desirable

• Adopt a team scientist approach that enables the support of the work of colleagues and students, and to make contributions to the general upkeep of our working environments

Qualifications

• A PhD award in the area of Structural Biology or structure based drug discovery for Research Associate
• Close to submission/completion of PhD for Research Assistant

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 award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a 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: 27233