Research Fellow in Membrane Protein Biotechnology (FBSBM1130)

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in bioelectrochemistry, soft matter and/or membrane biology ? Do you want to further your career in one of the UKs leading research intensive Universities?

Project Title: Hybrid lipid-polymer membranes to extend the lifetime of hydrogenase in bioelectrocatalysis

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated researcher to work on a project aiming to exploit membrane enzymes for applications in bioelectrocatalysis, in particular for bioenergy related applications such as biofuel cells. Our aim is supported by our recent results, which show that ‘cheap-to-produce’ crude membrane extracts are suitable catalyst systems and that amphiphilic polymers, are able to induce an unprecedented improvement in biocatalyst stability. You will work with enzymes like membrane-bound hydrogenase, to create a cheap and robust enzyme-based hydrogen-air fuel cell. Our technology, will advance the area of industrial biomanufacturing and open up the use of membrane enzymes in biocatalysis and in particularly, bioelectrocatalysis.

This BBSRC-funded project is a collaboration between the University of Leeds and colleagues at the Technical University of Berlin and Ruhr University of Bochum, Germany. You will be based in a multidisciplinary biophysics research team, supervised by Prof. Lars Jeuken, within the Faculty of Biological Sciences at Leeds, and by Dr. Paul Beales in the School of Chemistry.

You should have, or be close to completing a PhD in a relevant subject (e.g. chemistry, biochemistry, physics); the successful applicant will have a background in bioinorganic chemistry, soft matter, bioelectrochemistry and/or membrane proteins and be able to work effectively both independently and within a multidisciplinary team.

The University of Leeds and the Faculty of Biological Sciences are committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offer a range of family friendly policies. The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN (the national body that promotes gender equality in higher education), and the Faculty of Biological Sciences was reawarded a Bronze award in 2017.  

We are proud to be an inclusive Faculty that values all staff, and are happy to consider job share applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from our employees. Our Athena SWAN webpage provides more information. 

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Lars Jeuken, Professor of Molecular Biophysics

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 3829, Email: L.J.C.Jeuken@leeds.ac.uk 

Closing Date: 21 Oct 2019
Category: Research