Research Fellow - Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences - 108132 - Grade 7

Location: United Kingdom Department: Academic Non-clinical

Position Details

Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to November 2029

Closing date: 25th October 2026

Background

This job is part of an Advanced Research + Invention Agency-funded project. "Hephaisteion: Direct Lithium Extraction using inorganic membranes made by proteins" is a highly interdisciplinary 36-month project within ARIA's Universal Fabricators programme. The project will use self-assembling S-layer proteins to programme the manufacture of large-area inorganic membranes with tightly controlled pores, with direct lithium extraction as the first demanding application. It links protein design, high-throughput screening, cell-based expression, biomineralisation, microscopy, process scale-up, membrane manufacture and performance testing.

The post will be based in the research group of Professor Steve Smerdon and will work closely with Professor Tim Knowles, project lead Dr Dominik Kubicki and the wider Hephaisteion team. The Research Fellow will take promising proteins emerging from computational and cell-free screening into cellular expression systems; design and construct expression vectors; optimise expression in appropriate bacterial hosts; recover and purify proteins using standard molecular biology and protein-biochemistry techniques; and establish refolding routes where required.

Crucially, the Research Fellow will determine whether purified proteins retain the ability to self-assemble into ordered two-dimensional lattices. They will use appropriate biochemical and biophysical assays, work with the microscopy team to validate assembly, and provide well-characterised protein to the biomineralisation, membrane-manufacturing and process-scale-up workstreams. The postholder will analyse sequence-expression-assembly relationships and contribute evidence to the project's design-build-test decisions and major programme milestones.

This is an opportunity to engage in a unique interdisciplinary project spanning protein science, materials chemistry, electron microscopy, bioprocessing and membrane engineering. The postholder will collaborate closely with ARIA, participate in frequent programme workshops and meet other ARIA Creators developing ambitious protein-programmed manufacturing technologies. They will be supported in their professional development while contributing to ARIA's ambition to deliver world-changing impact.

Role Summary

Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids

Operate within area of specialism

Analyse and interpret research findings and results

Integrate workflows and data streams with other collaboration laboratories

Contribute to generating funding

Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below

Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required

Contribute to writing bids for research funding

Analyse and interpret data

Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding

Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc

Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline

Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods

Undertake management/administration arising from research

Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration

Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader

Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews

Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters

Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research

Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines

Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

PhD (or close to completion) in protein biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology or a closely related discipline

High-level analytical capability, including interpretation of protein expression, purification and assembly data

Ability to communicate complex information clearly

Fluency in recombinant protein expression in cellular systems and purification using standard molecular biology and protein-biochemistry techniques using Akta systems, and ability to contribute to developing new methods

Experience with structural/biophysical characterisation methods eg cEM, AFM, MALS etc is an advantage

Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively

Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes

Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project

Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort

Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Ste