Research Fellow - Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences - 108132 - Grade 7
University of Birmingham · United Kingdom
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 Stephen Smerdon, email: s.j.smerdon@bham.ac.uk
Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.
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.