Research Fellow in Biophysics

Physics

Location: Guildford
Salary: £35,308 to £40,745 per annum
Fixed Term
Post Type: Full Time
Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Monday 29 May 2023
Reference: 023323

We are currently seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research associate to join the University of Surrey to join Dr Wooli Bae’s research group for a 2.5-year project funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The project aims to build a novel protocell system using the state-of-art DNA and RNA nanotechnology. The protocell system will have unique ability to communicate with external environment and implement higher level functions such as homeostasis and cell memory. This system will shed light on biology's fundamental principles by mimicking emergent behaviours, including communication and information processing. It will also be a unique engineering platform for biomedical purposes such as targeted or environment-specific drug-delivery applications.

The interdisciplinary project involves experimental work spanning DNA and RNA nanotechnology, synthetic biology, membrane biophysics, and microfluidics. The successful candidate will work closely with Dr. Wooli Bae and academic collaborators from Imperial College London, University College London, and Hokkaido University. The candidate will play a critical role in developing and implementing experimental techniques to investigate the formation and behaviour of these protocells in the context of synthetic biology.

The post is ideally suited for someone with a keen interest in creating artificial life-like systems and experience in working with DNA, RNA, or lipid molecules.

This is a fixed term contract for up to 30 months.

Key responsibilities

• Conducting individual and collaborate research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator
• Writing and publishing research articles in peer-reviewed journals
• Presenting research findings at conferences and seminars
• Mentoring and training undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Actively participating in lab meetings and other academic activities
• Contributing to developing research proposals and project management
• Continuing professional development by engaging with appropriate training courses

Key requirements

• PhD in a relevant field such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Biochemistry
• Laboratory experience in molecular biology
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research activities
• Good communication skill in English

 Preferred qualifications

• A strong track record in publishing original research articles in peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in DNA or RNA nanotechnology
• Experience in working with GUV or microfluidic emulsion systems
• Experience in fluorescence measurement
• Experience in transmission electron microscopy
• Willingness to travel overseas to work with international collaborators
• Ability to work as an independent researcher within an interdisciplinary team with diverse expertise, while contributing to collaborative projects and communicating effectively with team members.

For more information, please contact Dr Wooli Bae (w.bae@surrey.ac.uk).

Please submit your CV and a covering letter of maximum two pages with your application.

Further details: Job Description

Please note, it is University Policy to offer a starting salary equivalent to Level 3.6 (£34,314) to successful applicants who have been awarded, but are yet to receive, their PhD certificate.  Once the original PhD certificate has been submitted to the local HR Department, the salary will be increased to Level 4.1 (£35,308).