Chemical Biology, Diagnostics & Therapeutics

Location:  Highfield Campus
Salary:   £30,942 to £34,804
Full Time Fixed Term (12 months)
Closing Date:  Friday 18 June 2021
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  1379321EB

The project is a collaboration between the Goldup and Tavassoli groups and aims to use DNA Rotaxanes and Catenanes to control cellular processes. Rotaxanes, molecules in which a linear component is trapped within a ring-shaped molecule like a bead on a thread, and catenanes, molecules formed of two rings threaded through one another like links in a chain, are the archetypal interlocked molecules. Holding the molecular components together like this changes their properties considerably and leads to new functions and applications. Indeed, nature has taken advantage of this approach to stabilise DNA in catenane structures (Nature, 1967, 647) and peptides as rotaxanes (Acc. Chem. Res. 2015, 1909). For an introduction to the properties of mechanically interlocked molecules see: “Chemical consequences of mechanical bonding in catenanes and rotaxanes” (Chem. Commun. 2014, 5128).

This project builds on recently developed DNA rotaxanes by the Goldup and Tavassoli Groups (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 5985). You will work in a multidisciplinary team to use next-generation, switchable DNA rotaxanes to regulate biological processes in mammalian cells. These compounds have the potential to become novel tools with applications in cell biology for regulating biological processes, an interdisciplinary project at the interface of Chemical Biology and Supramolecular Chemistry at the University of Southampton working with Profs Steve Goldup and Ali Tavassoli.

To be successful you will have a PhD or equivalent professional qualifications and experience in chemistry, biochemistry or related discipline along with expertise in mammalian cell culture, molecular biology and cloning, protein expression, biophysical techniques for characterising ligand/protein interactions. You will have a background in multidisciplinary science, particularly chemical biology and/or cell biology. We are especially interest in candidates with experience of working with mammalian cell culture and associated techniques. 

We offer you opportunities to develop your supervisory, written and oral communication skills, excellent preparation for a career in academia or industry. Group members are expected to present their published work at national and international conferences and funding is available to support this.

You will be based in the modern chemistry laboratories in the School of Chemistry at the University of Southampton. Support for synthetic chemistry, chemical biology and cell biology is excellent with world-class, cell culture, molecular biology, and chemical biology facilities, and as well as MS, NMR and X-ray facilities, each supported by dedicated specialist staff. For more information see: 

Goldup Group: http://goldup.soton.ac.uk/

Tavassoli Group: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/chemistry/about/staff/ali1.page 

The post will initially be offered for 12 months, with the potential for an extension to 24 months subject to the availability of funding. For additional information please contact Professor Ali Tavassoli and Professor Steve Goldup by email (ali1@soton.ac.uk and S.Goldup@soton.ac.uk). 

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given

Equality, diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in Chemistry. We particularly encourage women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME), LGBT and disabled applicants to apply for this position.  In recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science we were awarded an Athena SWAN Silver award in 2014 a and a second Silver award in 2017.  Chemistry gives full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy* and onsite childcare facilities.  For further information please visit https://www.southampton.ac.uk/chemistry/about/Equality/index.page

 The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.  Our vision is to embed the principles of sustainability into all aspects of our individual and collective work, integrating sustainable development into our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities.  This commits all of our staff and students to take responsibility for managing their activities to minimise harm to the environment, whether this through switching off non-essential electrical equipment or using the recycling facilities.

 *subject to qualifying criteria

Application Procedure 

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Annabelle Trimm (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 4043 or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk  Please quote reference 1379321EB on all correspondence.