Research Associate in Chemical Biology

The Lovell Lab, in partnership with AdvanCell, is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate on a 24-month contract, with the possibility of a further 12-month extension. The position is available to start as soon as possible and will involve travel to Brisbane, Australia, to work with colleagues at AdvanCell.

Project Background: Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) is an emerging and highly promising strategy for treating a range of cancers. By using targeting vectors conjugated to radionuclides, TRT delivers cytotoxic radiation directly to tumour cells while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

This project aims to identify selective peptide binders for proteins, cells, or tissues using state-of-the-art peptide display technologies. These binders will serve as initial targeting vectors in hit-to-lead optimisation programmes to develop novel radiomedicines. The work will integrate:

• Phage or mRNA display
• Automated solid-phase peptide synthesis
• Direct-to-biology workflows
• Chemical proteomics
• Structural biology

About you

Essential qualifications and experience:

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated expertise with display technologies (e.g., phage display, mRNA display, DELs)
• Hands-on experience with solid-phase peptide synthesis
  Proficiency in HPLC, LC-MS, or LC-MS/MS method development
• Active interest in peptide drug discovery and cancer research

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.

Additional expectations:

• Strong organisational, communication, and teamwork skills
• Ability to work independently and solve problems proactively
• Willingness to supervise and train junior lab members
• Some laboratory management responsibilities will be included

What we can offer you

We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses