Senior Research Associate Protein Biochemist
| Posting date: | 22 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £39,906.00 to £46,049.00 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 04 April 2026 |
| Location: | LA1 4YW |
| Company: | Lancaster University |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 0174-26 |
Summary
Applications are invited for a senior postdoctoral researcher in protein biochemistry within the Lancaster Photosynthesis team under the supervision of Prof Elizabete Carmo-Silva. The project RIPE, funded by Gates Agricultural Innovations, aims to improve the efficiency of carbon assimilation and crop production. At Lancaster, we focus on improving the efficiency and thermal tolerance of Rubisco activity in cowpea and soybean. The existing team, consisting of PIs, postdoctoral researchers, technicians and postgraduate students, works collaboratively to deliver the project milestones and contribute to making cowpea and soybean more productive and climate resilient.
The ideal candidate for this senior research associate in Protein Biochemistry will have a genuine interest and the curiosity to lead research aimed at understanding the mechanism of Rubisco activase impairment at elevated temperatures and engineer protein thermotolerance. This will involve expression, purification and characterisation of engineered forms of Rubisco activase with enhanced thermotolerance. You will design and carry out experimental and computational work, analyse data, present results in oral and written form and lead the preparation of scientific manuscripts.
You will have access to state-of-the-art resources, including a well-equipped lab for plant molecular biology and biochemistry. Professional development opportunities and training courses to broaden your expertise and skills will be encouraged and are covered by the project.
People from all diversity groups are encouraged to apply. LEC offers a collegial and stimulating environment for career development, based on departmental values and embedded Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) considerations and actions. We are committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies on an individual basis, as well as the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research. Furthermore, we are active and progressive around sustainability, wellbeing and social justice agendas.
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