‘A versatile biocatalytic platform for scalable therapeutic oligonucleotide manufacturing’
A position is available for Postdoctoral Research Associates with experience in directed evolution, biocatalysis, biochemistry or a related discipline. The aim of the research is to develop and optimize a biocatalytic approach to therapeutic oligonucleotide synthesis. This position is based in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) under the supervision of Dr Sarah Lovelock but candidates will work closely with industrial partners, AstraZeneca, Novartis, CPI, Novo Nordisk and BioMarin.
Therapeutic oligonucleotides selectively bind to target mRNA to modulate the production of disease related proteins and have emerged as a potential new drug modality for the treatment of a whole range of disease areas. However, current methods of chemical synthesis are not scalable and are limited to <10Kg batches. To synthesize high volume products required for the treatment of common diseases, more scalable and sustainable methods are required. The Lovelock group are interested in the development of scalable biocatalytic strategies to produce oligonucleotides. This research involves process optimization, scale up and optimization of biocatalyst properties using directed evolution to make them suitable for pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
This is a highly interdisciplinary project at the cutting edge of enzyme engineering and nucleic acid therapeutics research and the successful applicants will have full access to state-of-the-art facilities for reaction scale-up and high-throughput automated enzyme engineering, including liquid handling robots, colony pickers and a suite of high throughput analytical facilities. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to apply and further develop their expertise in both fundamental and translational science, which are highly relevant to a future career in the pharmaceutical and wider chemical industry.
Applicants should have, or are expect to attain a PhD or equivalent, in Chemical Biology, Biochemistry or Biocatalysis, and have a thesis submitted prior to taking up the position. We seek applications from experienced researchers with a proven track record in the optimization of biocatalytic processes. You should be capable of working under your own initiative but also collaborating with industrial and academic research partners, so excellent communication and organisational skills are required.
Application forms and further particulars are available from our website www.manchester.ac.uk/jobs
If you are unable to go online you can request a hard copy of the details from The Directorate of Human Resources, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Tel: +44 (0) 161 275 8837, Email: eps-hr@manchester.ac.uk
The School of Chemistry is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality in higher education. The School holds a Silver Award which recognises their good practice in relation to gender; including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and support to allow staff to achieve a good work-life balance. We particularly welcome applications from women for this post. Appointment will always be made on merit. For further information, please visit http://www.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk/about-us/athena-swan/
We positively welcome applications from women, who are currently under-represented at this grade. Appointment will be made on merit.
What you will get in return:
The University will actively foster a culture of inclusion and diversity and will seek to achieve true equality of opportunity for all members of its community.
Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here
Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.
Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.
Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.
Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.
Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Sarah Lovelock
Email: sarah.lovelock@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries:
Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk
Technical support:
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.
