Assistant Professor in Structural Synthetic Biology

The Department of Biosciences at Durham University seeks to appoint a talented individual to the role of Assistant Professor in Structural Synthetic Biology. We welcome applications from those with research and teaching interests that are consistent with research priorities in the Department and whose research is complementary to other staff in the Biomolecular Interactions, Animal Cells and Systems, and Plant Molecular Sciences groups. The newly established Centre for Programmable Biological Matter, led by Professor Jonathan Heddle is a large, multidisciplinary and well-equipped laboratory. We are developing new capabilities aimed at understanding, designing, and building biological nanomachines.

The Department of Biosciences is consistently ranked in the top 10 UK Biological Sciences Departments in University league tables and has a 100% internationally recognised research environment (REF2021).

We aim to appoint outstanding new academic staff to i) strengthen research in cross-disciplinary approaches to fundamental biological questions, potentially with impact on the bioeconomy and ii) to provide students with an outstanding educational and training experience through a contribution to our taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Research in the Department is focused around four key themes - animal cells & systems; biomolecular interactions; ecology, evolution & environment; and molecular plant sciences (https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/biosciences/research/)

This post offers an exciting opportunity to make a major contribution to the development of internationally excellent research and teaching while allowing you unrivalled opportunities to progress and embed your career in an exciting and progressive institution. For more information, please visit our Department pages at https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/biosciences/

We offer a 3-year BSc degree programme in Biological Sciences and a 4-year MBiol, while also contributing to Natural Sciences. Our research and teaching is supported by outstanding research infrastructure in advanced bioimaging (including super-resolution, confocal and electron microscopy), genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, high-performance computing and field research. We promote research at the interface with other disciplines.

The Department of Biosciences is particularly interested in receiving applications from women and candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds. The University is home to several networks that support researchers (e.g., women@DU, DU BAME, WHEN, and a vibrant departmental community of recent hires). Durham University offers a generous scheme for maternity leave as well as a nursery run by the University. As an employer committed to promoting the very best talent, we also encourage applications from researchers who may have taken career breaks for family or other reasons, or who may need to consider flexible working. For more information, please visit our Department pages at https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/biosciences/

As one of the UK's leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career while enjoying a high quality work/life balance. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.