Postdoctoral Protein Scientist - MDLS

Postdoctoral Protein Scientist - MDLS

EIT - Ellison Institute of Technology

Oxford, United Kingdom

Your Role:

At EIT we are seeking an experienced and detail orientated Postdoctoral Protein Scientist to join a multidisciplinary research group developing nanopore technology for single-molecule sensing, based at the MDLS EIT (first 6 months based at the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford). The role will design, engineer, and prepare protein tools, including protein nanopores and enzymes, to support the group's technology development programme.

The postholder will bring strong protein engineering, protein preparation, and molecular biology skills, and be technically excellent and reliable, with the ability to deliver proteins on demand and work with a genuine sense of urgency. They will engage directly with colleagues from physical and engineering science backgrounds, translating protein and biological requirements into device-ready tools, and should be comfortable working at this interface. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who works well independently, is open to learning and adopting new protein techniques, and is proactive in bringing new methods into the team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out molecular cloning and construct design, including plasmid design, Gibson/Golden Gate assembly, and site-directed mutagenesis;
• Express proteins using bacterial-, mammalian-cell-based (e.g., E. coli, HEK293), and cell-free protein expression systems, selecting the appropriate route for each project;
• Purify proteins by FPLC, including affinity (IMAC), ion exchange, and size-exclusion chromatography;
• Characterise and quality-control protein preparations (e.g. SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, mass spectrometry, DLS, thermal stability assays, CD spectroscopy) and set acceptance criteria before proteins are used in functional assays;
• Apply protein engineering approaches (rational, structure-guided, and/or directed evolution) to optimise nanopore and related protein tools for specific sensing applications;
• Manage, update, and maintain the group's inventory and library of in-house plasmids and protein preparations, ensuring records are accurate, well organised, and easily retrievable;
• Establish and document clear protocols and SOPs for protein engineering and preparation workflows, to support reproducibility and knowledge transfer within the team;
• Train and mentor junior team members (DPhil students, technicians, and new starters) in protein engineering, expression, purification, and characterisation techniques;
• Liaise with suppliers and manufacturers to support procurement and essential maintenance of equipment relevant to protein work (e.g. FPLC systems, expression and QC equipment);
• Keep accurate, well-organised records of experiments and protein preparations (electronic lab notebook), and contribute to manuscripts, IP disclosures, and grant applications arising from the work;
• Present progress and findings at group meetings;
• Maintain relevant risk assessments (e.g. GM, COSHH) for protein and molecular biology work, and ensure compliance with laboratory safety standards;
• Be open to learning and adopting new protein science techniques as the group's technology needs evolve, and support their introduction into the team;
• Work closely with colleagues from physical and engineering science backgrounds, translating protein requirements into specifications for device and technology development.

Requirements:

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• PhD in a relevant field such as Protein Science, Structural Biology, Protein Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, or a closely related discipline;
• Demonstrated expertise in protein engineering, protein preparation, and molecular biology;
• Proficient in molecular cloning techniques (e.g. Gibson/Golden Gate assembly, site-directed mutagenesis, plasmid design);
• Hands-on experience with recombinant protein expression, using bacterial-cell-based (e.g., E. coli), mammalian-cell-based (e.g., HEK293), or cell-free (in vitro transcription-translation) expression systems;
• Practical experience with protein purification by FPLC (IMAC, ion exchange, size-exclusion chromatography);
• Experience with protein characterisation and QC techniques (e.g. SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, mass spectrometry, DLS, thermal stability assays such as DSF/nanoDSF, CD spectroscopy);
• Technically excellent, reliable, and able to work with a strong sense of urgency to deliver proteins on demand;
• A self-starter who works well independently, with the initiative to plan and progress their own work;
• Open-minded and adaptable, with a willingness to learn and adopt new protein science techniques;
• Comfortable working in a multidisciplinary environment and communicating effectively with colleagues from physical and engineering science backgrounds.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Exposure to structural biology methods and/or computational protein modelling tools (e.g. cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, AlphaFold);
• Experience with insect or mammalian cell expression systems;
• Experience with bioconjugation chemistry.

Key Attributes:

• Self-starter who is independent, proactive, and solution-oriented;
• Strong sense of urgency and reliability, with the ability to deliver protein tools on demand to support fast-moving technology development;
• Technically able and detail-oriented, with high standards for protein quality and documentation;
• Open to learning and adopting new techniques, and proactive about bringing new methods into the team;
• Comfortable working at the interface of biology and engineering, able to translate protein and biological requirements for colleagues without a biological background;
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented approach, including mentoring and training junior colleagues;
• Good organisational skills, able to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities.