Durham
DescriptionWorking at Durham University A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career.The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential. Our Purpose and ValuesWe want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information PageThe Role and Department The Department of Biosciences is composed of 62 academic staff and research fellows; around 50 research and technical support staff; over 90 Research Postgraduate students and over 500 Single Honours undergraduate students, and also teaches students from the Natural Sciences programme. The Department is committed to an ethos of research-led teaching at both BSc and MBiol levels, and was ranked 4th in the UK for Biological Sciences Departments in the Complete University Guide 2027.The Department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award. Athena SWAN is a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation and progression. The Department embraces excellence in all of its forms and invites all qualified applicants to apply. We particularly welcome applications from women and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in the academic sector.Join us as a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant at the Centre for Programmable Biological Matter!At the Centre for Programmable Biological Matter, we are interested in understanding, designing and building natural and artificial bionanomachines. We ask – can we design artificial versions of such machines to carry out processes not available or possible in nature? The ability to design functional, dynamic proteins will revolutionise medicine. It will mean new capabilities in vaccines and drug including nanoscale medicine that can be programmed and can self-propel. We have established the Centre of Programmable Biological Matter (CPBM) as to spearhead research in this area. To find out more about our research, head to our website: Project description‘ENGINEERING PROGRAMMABLE DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR MITOCHONDRIA”This post forms part of a major ARIA-funded multidisciplinary programme aimed at transforming mitochondria into programmable entities. The successful candidate will join the Centre for Programmable Biological Matter at Durham University and lead the development of engineered protein nanocages for the delivery of molecular cargoes to mitochondria.The project will build on our established TRAP-cage platform, an ultra-stable, self-assembling protein nanostructure that can encapsulate biological cargoes and release them in response to defined environmental triggers. The research will involve the design, construction and characterisation of artificial proteins capable of recognizing and transporting cargoes across cellular barriers. Approaches will include protein engineering, AI-enabled protein design synthetic biology, recombinant protein production, biophysical characterisation, microscopy and the development of novel cargo-targeting strategies.The postholder will work closely with a consortium spanning mitochondrial genetics, nanotechnology, extracellular vesicle engineering and synthetic biology. They will contribute to the development of next-generation technologies for mitochondrial manipulation, generating fundamental insights and enabling future therapeutic applications.This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated researcher to contribute to a high-risk, high-reward programme at the interface of synthetic biology, protein engineering, bionanotechnology and mitochondrial biology.This role will be based on-site, at the Department of Chemistry, Durham University, in our newly refurbished labs with state-of-the art equipment. Full-time for 15 months.Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Key responsibilities:To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses. The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusionEquality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application.The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Leader status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. QualificationsWorking at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.Contact Information Department contact for academic-related enquiriesDepartment of Biosciences, Professor Jonathan Heddle (jonathan.g.heddle@durham.ac.uk)Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays). How to Apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.What to Submit All applicants are asked to submit: a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.Next Steps Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview.In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.Person SpecificationEssential Criteria:Qualifications1. A good first degree in in Biological sciences, including but not limited to protein (chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics and structural biology, computational biology, computer sciences, natural sciences, mathematics).2. A PhD (or be close to submission) in structural biology, protein engineering, or a related subject.Experience3. Experience in conducting high quality academic research.4. Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.5. A proven track record in working with Ai-enabled protein design tools, preferably in a laboratory environment specialised in these tools.6. Experienced practitioner who has led teaching/research projects working within an educational, commercial or industrial environment.7. Experience of implementing policies and procedures. Skills8. Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.9. Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.10. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.Desirable CriteriaExperience/SkillsExcellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, AI-based protein design toolsStrong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.Ability to teach or train others with specific technical skills.Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects.Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.
