Research Associate Position in Enzyme Engineering and Biocatalysis
Job reference: SAE-031422 Salary: £37,694- £46,049 per annum depending on relevant experience Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering Location: Manchester Institute of Biotechnology Employment type: Fixed Term Division/Team: Department of Chemistry Hours Per Week: 1 FTE Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 03/06/2026 Contract Duration: 18 months School/Directorate: School of Natural Sciences
We seek to appoint an outstanding and ambitious scientist to a Research Associate Position in Enzyme Engineering and Biocatalysis. The aim of the research is to develop enzymes with new and valuable catalytic functions using a range of computational and experimental techniques. The post is tenable for 18 months from 1st July 2026.
The successful candidate will work within Prof Buller's research team based in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB), with close collaboration across Prof Anthony Green's group (MIB) and Prof David Baker's group at the Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington. The project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focuses on engineering pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent decarboxylative aldolases for the stereoselective synthesis of γ-hydroxy non-canonical amino acids and downstream 1,3-amino alcohols of relevance to antitubercular drug discovery. You should hold a PhD (or equivalent) in Chemistry or a closely related discipline, with a strong synthetic organic chemistry background and demonstrated experience applying biocatalysis to stereoselective synthesis. Familiarity with heterologous protein expression in E. coli, synthesis of functionalised ketones, or high-throughput screening would each be advantageous; full training in directed evolution and protein engineering will be provided. You should be capable of working under your own initiative while collaborating effectively with academic partners across institutions, so excellent communication and organisational skills are essential.
The Department of Chemistry is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality in higher education. The Department 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. Appointments will always be made on merit. For further information, please visit: www.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk/about-us/athena-swan .
Our benefits include:
Generous employer contribution pension
29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
Ride to work and EV car scheme available
For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits . You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here .
We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy .
Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews
Name: Prof Andrew Buller
Email Address: andrew.buller@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries and administrative support: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk
Technical and job portal support: jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
Applications close at midnight on the closing date. £37,694 to £46,049 per annum depending on relevant experience