Purpose of the Post
The purpose of the post is use cutting edge synthetic biology tools combining genome and metabolic engineering to generate novel bioproducts in a sustainable manner. In particular, the work will focus on engineering yeasts for the production of highly valuable compounds identified by our industrial partners. One of the goals of the project is to produce materials, colorants and nutraceuticals to replace products currently made from petroleum.
Some of the techniques to be used include the use of dynamic metabolic regulation (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-020-0637-3), multiplexing CRISPR tools (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-15053-x), and microbial communities (https://www.cell.com/trends/biotechnology/fulltext/S0167-7799(18)30312-3).
The overall purpose of the post is therefore to carry out research programmes in microbial synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, undertake project management and/or supervise multi-disciplinary teams. In addition, the Research Associate will be expected to submit publications to top refereed journals. As part of this project, the successful candidate will:
1. Work in an exciting and timely project using state of the art techniques and methodologies in a collaborative working environment.
2. Develop and broaden knowledge and expertise in a truly multidisciplinary project, which employs methods and principles from microbial molecular biology (CRISPR, Golden Gate, etc.) to control engineering and modelling.
3. Be a member of a dynamic and ambitious growing research group within the Centre for Synthetic Biology at Imperial College London, one of the top institutions in synthetic biology.
4. Develop networking and collaboration channels and skills with both academic and industrial partners in order to identify key bottlenecks in industrial bio-production and implement solutions.
5. Work closely with project partners in industry and academia
6. Undertake project management and be involved in the supervision of PhD and Master Students.
7. Benefit from training and support from the Postdoc and Fellows Development Centre and its multi award winning career development programs.
8. In addition, the Research Associate will attend and present work at appropriate conferences and will write research and review articles.
Research Duties
• Work in close cooperation with Dr Ledesma-Amaro (supervisor) and other research staff, students and collaborators on the project
• Contribute to the development of techniques and methods, that fulfil the requirements of the grant objectives
• Take initiatives in the planning of research
• Acquire and interpret research data and results
• Prioritise tasks within agreed work schedule
• Organise own time so that different aspects of the project can proceed in parallel
• work in close cooperation with the other project investigators, project partners, technical staff, and PhD students working on the project
• Ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times
• Maintain accurate and complete records of all findings
• Assist in the writing of regular internal reports as necessary
• Regularly present material at internal and external meetings as requested
• Prepare publications for submission to refereed to top journals
• Assist in the preparation of bids for research grants
• Assist in the preparation of patent applications
• Help supervise undergraduate lab activities where appropriate
• Advise and assist other staff and students within the area of expertise
• Undertake instruction of MRes and PhD students as appropriate
• Attend progress and management meetings, regular laboratory meetings, journals clubs and internal and external seminars, as required
• To comply with the College, Division, and Unit safety practices and to attend courses on safety when appropriate.
• Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as Head of Division/Department/Section.