The Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC) at the University of Nottingham is seeking creative and motivated metabolic engineering scientists and/or synthetic biologists to work on developing gas-fermenting microbial chassis for sustainable bioproduction of chemicals and fuels. SBRC Nottingham, established by BBSRC/EPSRC with more than £14 million funding, is working at the frontiers of UK academic and industrial research with the aim to accelerate the application of Engineering and Synthetic Biology technologies to directly capture carbon by exploiting the ability of autotrophic bacteria to fix C1-gases (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, or methane) and convert them into platform chemicals such as hydrocarbons (e.g. ethylene and isoprene), carboxylic acids (e.g. 3-hydroxypropioninc acid) and others. The gas-fermenting aerobic and anaerobic bacterial chassis are being used as primary engineering platforms.

We seek candidates to work on either anaerobic (acetogens, e.g. Clostridium autoethanogenum) or the aerobic autotrophic chassis Cupriavidus necator (Ralstonia eutropha). You should hold a PhD (pending or awarded) in a discipline relevant to microbial strain engineering or synthetic biology. Past experience in metabolic engineering or/and synthetic biology of microbial species is essential. A knowledge of advanced genome editing, high-throughput-omics techniques and/or metabolic pathway analysis would be desirable.

Candidates must hold A PhD or be near to completion of, A PhD or studying towards a PhD or equivalent in a discipline relevant to Synthetic Biology or microbial Metabolic Engineering.

This full-time fixed-term post is available immediately until 31st January 2020. Job share arrangements may be considered.

The School of Life Sciences holds an Athena Silver SWAN Award, in recognition of our commitment to supporting and advancing women’s careers in the life sciences (STEMM). You can read more about this initiative at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/life-sciences/documents/athena-swan-silver-award.pdf

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Nigel Minton: nigel.minton@nottingham.ac.uk
Please note that applications sent directly to this Email address will not be accepted.