Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computational Enzyme Design
- Manchester, NS, Canada
Full-time
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Job details
- Job type
- Full-time
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- Posting language
- English
- Posted
Original job description
We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computational Enzyme Design. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation computational and experimental approaches for designing de novo enzymes capable of catalysing non-natural chemical transformations within a dynamic and inclusive environment.
You will be responsible for:
About You
We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:
Essential Criteria:
Our benefits include:
(Grades 6-9)
We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.
Enquiries About The Role, Shortlisting And Interviews
Name: Roberto Chica
Email Address: roberto.chica@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries and administrative support
recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk
Technical and job portal support
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
Applications close at midnight on the closing date.
Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.
You will be responsible for:
- Developing and applying computational approaches for the design of enzymes with new or improved catalytic activities.
- Designing, generating, and experimentally evaluating novel biocatalysts using computational enzyme-design methodologies.
- Performing protein expression, purification, and biochemical, biophysical, and structural characterization of designed enzymes.
- Collaborating closely with researchers in artificial intelligence, machine learning, protein engineering, and structural biology to develop integrated enzyme-design workflows.
- Publishing research findings, presenting results at scientific meetings, and contributing to the supervision of students and the development of future research directions.
About You
We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:
Essential Criteria:
- Hold, or expect to obtain shortly, a PhD in Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
- Strong understanding of enzyme catalysis, reaction mechanisms, protein structure-function relationships, and protein engineering principles.
- Experience using computational approaches to analyse, model, engineer, or optimise proteins and enzymes.
- Practical expertise in protein expression, purification, enzyme kinetics, and biochemical/biophysical characterization.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research environment, with excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
- Experience applying computational methods to the design or optimisation of proteins and enzymes and experimentally evaluating the resulting designs.
- Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis using Python and related scientific software tools.
- Experience with molecular modelling, molecular dynamics, quantum mechanical methods, or related computational approaches for studying protein structure, dynamics, and catalysis.
- Experience with protein structure prediction and generative protein-design tools such as AlphaFold, RFdiffusion, ProteinMPNN, LigandMPNN, Boltz-2, or related methods.
- Experience supervising students or junior researchers.
Our benefits include:
(Grades 6-9)
- Generous employer contribution pension
- 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
- Ride to work and EV car scheme available
We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.
Enquiries About The Role, Shortlisting And Interviews
Name: Roberto Chica
Email Address: roberto.chica@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries and administrative support
recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk
Technical and job portal support
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
Applications close at midnight on the closing date.
Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.
More about this job
Responsibilities
Develop computational methods to design enzymes with new or improved catalytic activities, then generate and experimentally evaluate the resulting biocatalysts. Characterize designed enzymes, collaborate across interdisciplinary teams, publish and present findings, and contribute to student supervision and future research directions.
Requirements
Applicants must hold or soon obtain a PhD in biochemistry, chemical biology, chemistry, or a related discipline, with strong knowledge of enzyme catalysis, reaction mechanisms, protein structure-function relationships, and protein engineering. They need experience with computational protein analysis and practical protein expression, purification, enzyme kinetics, and biochemical or biophysical characterization, as well as strong communication and collaboration skills.
Skills
- Computational Enzyme Design
- Enzyme Catalysis
- Reaction Mechanisms
- Protein Engineering
- Computational Protein Analysis
- Protein Expression
- Protein Purification
- Enzyme Kinetics
- Biochemical Characterization
- Biophysical Characterization
- Structural Biology
- Scientific Programming
- Python
- Molecular Modelling
- Molecular Dynamics
- Quantum Mechanical Methods
Benefits
- Employer Pension Contribution
- 29 Days Annual Leave Plus Bank Holidays
- Christmas Closure
- Ride-to-Work Scheme
- Electric Vehicle Car Scheme
Visa sponsorship
Not detected in the job text
Hiring contact
Roberto Chica
Hiring contact email
roberto.chica@manchester.ac.uk
Categories
- Science & Research
- Education
- Data & Analytics
- Technology
Keywords
- Computational Enzyme Design
- De Novo Enzymes
- Biocatalysts
- Enzyme Catalysis
- Non-Natural Chemical Transformations
- Protein Engineering
- Protein Structure-Function Relationships
- Protein Expression
- Protein Purification
- Enzyme Kinetics
- Biochemical Characterization
- Biophysical Characterization
- Structural Characterization
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Structural Biology
- Scientific Programming
- Python
- Data Analysis
- Molecular Modelling
- Molecular Dynamics
- Quantum Mechanical Methods
- Protein Structure Prediction
- AlphaFold
- RFdiffusion
- ProteinMPNN
- LigandMPNN
- Boltz-2
- Interdisciplinary Research