Postdoctoral Research Assistant at University of Dundee

The Dorfmueller lab in the Division of Molecular Microbiology at the University of Dundee https://www.dundee.ac.uk/people/helge-dorfmueller is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join the laboratory with experience in biochemistry, protein production and engineering from bacterial expression systems.

We study a number of pathogenic streptococcal bacteria and this project focusses on the development of novel immunogenic glyco-conjugates. The Dorfmueller lab conducts interdisciplinary studies combining microbiology, synthetic biology and engineering, pathogen biology, microscopy, structural biology, and glycobiology.

The aim of the project is to lead the engineering aspect of this translational research project and to develop novel glyco-conjugate vaccine candidates using our developed protein-glycan coupling technology (PGCT). The successful applicant will exploit PGCT for the production optimisation and purification for current and novel vaccine targets. The appointed researcher is expected to contribute to target design and development and to work as part of a collaborative team on this and related projects.

The project builds on our unpublished and published work (see Zorzoli et al., 10.1074/jbc.RA119.009894, Burns et al., 10.1038/s41541-023-00639-5, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/1o.110112021.11.12.46844lv2).You will have the opportunity to be part of and lead a new translational research project and working on a highly relevant topic.

The position is available for 18 months in the first instance.

Who we’re looking for:

Successful candidates will have a strong background in protein biology/biochemistry, ideally with expertise in protein-glycan biochemistry. The candidate should be creative and ambitious, enthusiastic to study and solve challenging problems, be a team player and be equipped with excellent communication skills.

Candidates are expected to have expertise in:

• Molecular biology and biochemistry
• Recombinant protein expression and purification (bacterial system)
• Undergraduate student supervision

Additional desired skills are:

• Mass spectrometry
• lmmunology/vaccinoloy

Your priorities will include:

• Protein production and purification;
• Develop optimisation strategies;
• Target design
• Immunisation

The appointment as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant on the Grade 7 salary scale is dependent upon you having been awarded a PhD. An appointment may be considered if you are shortly expected to be awarded a PhD. In this case, the initial appointment would be made as a Research Assistant on the Training Grade 7 salary scale (Spinal Point 25 – 28).

For further information about this position please contact Helge Dorfmueller at hczdorfmueller@dundee.ac.uk.

To find out more about the Division of Molecular Microbiology (MMB) please visit https://www.dundee.ac.uk/1ife-sciences/researc h/molecular-microbioloqy

To apply, please submit:

• A cover letter that outlines your research interests and career goals, alongside a summary highlighting your expertise in biochemistry and structure-function analyses.
• A curriculum vitae containing a list of publications and/or preprints with a
• Brief description of your contribution to each piece of work.