Research Associate in Chemoenzymatic Oligosaccharide Synthesis

A Research Associate position in chemoenzymatic oligosaccharide synthesis is available in the Schumann Laboratory in the Department of Chemistry at Imperial College London. The laboratory headed by Dr Ben Schumann is performing research at the interface between chemistry and glycobiology. In close collaboration with the Glycosciences Laboratory headed by Prof. Ten Feizi and Dr Yan Liu, we are looking to understand the details of...

Job listing information

• Reference NAT00721
• Date posted 14 July 2020
• Closing date 13 August 2020

Key information about the role

• Location White City Campus (map)
• Position type Full time, permanent
• Salary £40,215 – £47,579 plus benefits
• Department Department of Chemistry
• Category Researcher / Non Clinical Researcher

Job description

Job summary

A Research Associate position in chemoenzymatic oligosaccharide synthesis is available in the Schumann Laboratory in the Department of Chemistry at Imperial College London.

The laboratory headed by Dr Ben Schumann is performing research at the interface between chemistry and glycobiology. In close collaboration with the Glycosciences Laboratory headed by Prof. Ten Feizi and Dr Yan Liu, we are looking to understand the details of glycan-mediated influences of biological processes in the Carbohydrate Microarray Facility supported by a recently awarded Wellcome Trust Biomedical Resource Grant. Synthetic glycans of increasing complexity and diversity are essential to this process, in synergy with the world-leading glycan microarray technology established in the Glycosciences Lab.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in chemical, chemoenzymatic and/or enzymatic synthesis of complex oligosaccharides. You will play a leading role in establishing a chemoenzymatic glycan synthesis laboratory at the brand-new Molecular Sciences Research Hub in White City, one of the largest investments to Chemistry institutes UK-wide.

Your work will comprise the targeted generation of complex, highly elaborated oligosaccharide probes by chemoenzymatic synthesis. By working closely with other members of the Glycosciences Laboratory located at the Hammersmith Campus (five-minute walk), you will gain exposure to the biological implications of these probes. Participating in collaborative studies on the recognition of these oligosaccharides in microarrays is possible and subject to progress in synthesis. You will play a pivotal role in establishing the laboratory in the Molecular Sciences Research Hub, and actively mentor and supervise junior colleagues. A placement at the Francis Crick Institute, a powerhouse of biomedical research, will be possible.

Duties and responsibilities

• To take initiative in establishing a chemoenzymatic glycan synthesis laboratory within existing infrastructure at the Molecular Sciences Research Hub and potentially the Francis Crick Institute

• Planning and execution of research, closely working with other members of the Carbohydrate Microarray Facility in the Glycosciences Laboratory, other lab members at the Francis Crick Institute, other groups in the Department of Chemistry and external collaborators

• To establish a chemoenzymatic synthesis pipeline, including chemical synthesis of universal precursors, protein expression and purification, and enzymatic elaboration based on published and newly-developed protocols

• To direct the work of small research teams, including undergraduate and postgraduate students

• To draft and submit publications to refereed journals

• To actively engage in promoting the lab’s research

• To actively learn new skills and integrate them in the lab’s research

• To champion a motivating, collaborative work environment

• To co-supervise PhD, Masters and undergraduate students

Essential requirements

You must have a PhD (or equivalent)  in carbohydrate synthesis, either chemical, enzymatic or chemoenzymatic.

You must also meet the following criteria:

• Taking a leading role in project design and execution
• Strong record of producing libraries of oligosaccharides including characterisation on publication level, commensurate with career stage 
• A proven publication track record in their respective field commensurate with career stage (where publications are under preparation, please provide a concise research summary of not more than two pages). Please indicate own contributions.
• Capability and creativity in experimental design
• Experience in recombinant expression, purification and/or use of enzymes in synthetic chemistry

Further information

Any candidate who has not been yet awarded their PhD, will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £35,477 - £38,566 per annum.

This post is full time – fixed Term until 31 October 2023. 

Maximum salary on appointment is £40,215 per annum

The Department of Chemistry proudly holds an Athena SWAN Gold Award and strives to provide a working environment where all our staff feel fully supported to flourish and excel. The Department of Chemistry is committed to promoting the wide range of Family Friendly policies and associated initiatives offered by the College.

For informal enquiries about this position please contact Dr Ben Schumann (ben.schumann@crick.ac.uk ).

For technical issues when applying online please email recruitment@imperial.ac.uk

Committed to equality and valuing diversity, we are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and work in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.

The College is a proud signatory to the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information, see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-evaluation/

The College believes that the use of animals in research is vital to improve human and animal health and welfare. Animals may only be used in research programmes where their use is shown to be necessary for developing new treatments and making medical advances. Imperial is committed to ensuring that, in cases where this research is deemed essential, all animals in the College’s care are treated with full respect, and that all staff involved with this work show due consideration at every level. http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-integrity/animal-research/