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This role will be based in the Department of Chemistry within the School of Natural & Computing Science. ** The position is associated with a research project funded by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) as part of their ‘New Horizons’ call. The project is a collaboration between Lancaster University, the University of Aberdeen and Manchester University exploring combined enzymatic and heterogeneous catalysis.
About the role
This exciting role is part of an academic collaboration between the University of Aberdeen, Lancaster University and Manchester University and is funded by EPSRC. The successful candidate will join the project mid-way through the overall project and build upon the results obtained in the early part of the research. The successful candidate will be a research assistant and perform a mixture of enzymatic catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis and combined enzymatic/heterogeneous catalysis (i.e., simultaneous enzymatic and heterogenous catalysis). The enzymatic catalysis aims to upgrade molecules commonly produced from biomass to more valuable compounds. The heterogeneous catalyst aims to regenerate the co-factor that forms a key part of the enzymatic process. The project will utilise a range of analytical techniques including HPLC and NMR and so practical experience of these techniques is important. The candidate will also be responsible for ensuring research is conducted in an organised and safe manner (i.e., in keeping with expected health & safety guidelines).
Key responsibilities
- Protein expression and purification to obtain the relevant enzymes
- Conduct enzymatic catalysis experiments under controlled conditions
- Prepare and test suitable heterogeneous catalysts
- Conduct combined enzymatic and heterogeneous catalyst tests under controlled conditions • Analysis of reactant conversion and product formation by HPLC & NMR
- Ensuring all laboratory tasks are completed in accordance with expected health & safety standard
Candidate background
Applicants must hold a degree and/or MSC in the field of chemistry, biochemistry or chemical engineering alongside a track record of high-quality research publications. For applications to Research Fellow they must hold a PhD. Applicants should have existing experience of enzyme catalysis (protein expression, purification, enzyme catalysed reaction screening). As the project also involves heterogenous catalysis prior experience of this field is also highly valuable (i.e., preparing/handling catalysts, testing of catalysts). The project will routinely utilise analytical techniques such as HPLC and NMR so the applicant should have theoretical and practical experience of these techniquesAdditional information.
Additional information
For a Research Assistant holding an MSC, this post does not meet the minimum requirements for visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route. We are therefore unable to consider applicants for this post that require sponsorship to work in the UK.
For a Research Fellow holding a PhD, should you require a visa to undertake employment in the UK you will be required to fulfil the minimum points criteria to be granted a Certificate of Sponsorship under the requirements of the Skilled Worker visa. At the time an offer of appointment is made, you will be asked to demonstrate that you fulfil the criteria in respect of qualification and competency in English. For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. Please do not hesitate to contact Lucy Redmayne, HR Adviser (e-mail: lucy.redmayne@abdn.ac.uk) for further information.
