research assistant London, England
Job description
About us
The Chemistry Department at University College London is the oldest in England, and today is one of the best in the UK, being ranked 3rd in the UK for its world-leading research in REF2021. We are located in Bloomsbury, at the heart of London, and offer an exciting and vibrant environment in which to work in one of the UK's top universities. The Department of Chemistry at UCL is committed to supporting excellence in both research and teaching, with over 60 members of academic staff carrying out world-leading research. We specialise in the areas of organic synthesis, chemical biology, computational chemistry, nanotechnology, inorganic and materials chemistry, physical chemistry and chemical physics. Details about our research can be found on the departmental website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/chemistry
About the role
Applications are invited for a PDRA position within the Department of Chemistry at University College London. The appointee will investigate the catalytic properties of nucleic acids. Specifically, they will develop and characterise small RNA catalysts to find new routes to the synthesis of biological molecules. A key feature of the project will be the assessment of catalysis via both biological and prebiotic chemical pathways, requiring consideration of organic transformations in aqueous media, as well as RNA catalyst structure and mechanism. The appointee will advance our knowledge of the catalytic capabilities of RNA, as a critical part of a broader effort within the Attwater group to better understand the early stages of life on Earth, and to develop synthetic RNA catalytic systems. This project sits at the interface of organic chemistry and molecular biology, and would suit a candidate from either discipline looking to gain experience in the other. The research is highly interdisciplinary, and the postholder will need to integrate literature in organic chemistry, molecular biology, nucleic acid catalysis, and geochemistry. The postholder will work as part of an active research group of PhD and master’s students, and will develop a senior role within the group by contributing to their supervision as well as monitoring lab safety. The postholder will be expected to work closely with another research group within the Department of Chemistry at UCL, as well as engage with the wider research community in this field. The position is funded by the Royal Society for 20 months. The candidate will join the research team of Dr James Attwater (the principal investigator) in the Department of Chemistry at the Bloomsbury Campus of University College The postholder will be required to isolate new catalytic RNA sequences from libraries of short RNA molecules using a combination of in vitro evolution, high-thoughput sequencing and molecular screening strategies. As part of this, the postholder will also characterize target reactions and analyse their catalysed and uncatalyzed mechanisms using NMR, MS, HPLC and electrophoresis capabilities present within the Department. The goal of this project is to gain a better understanding of the transition from chemistry to biology at the origin of life, and to support the development and engineering of increasingly complex all-RNA catalytic systems. Experimental work will be carried out independently but also as part of a team of researchers based in the Chemistry Department. The postholder will be expected to supervise PhD and Masters students, assisting experimentally with their research projects, where necessary, and reading drafts of reports and papers, as well as managing lab safety.
About you
The successful candidate will have a PhD degree (or be about to be awarded a PhD) in an experimental area of organic chemistry, molecular biology or a related discipline. Strong applicants will present a good publication track record. The postholder will be required to develop new RNA catalysts. The candidate must therefore have experience of nucleic acid manipulation and characterisation. In particular, demonstrated experience with nucleic acid in vitro selection, nucleic acid chemical modification, high-throughput sequencing or analysis of nucleic acids by mass spectrometry would strengthen an application. A background in biological or organic chemistry is needed; a background in enzymology or systems chemistry would be particularly valuable. Practical laboratory experience is required, ideally including multidisciplinary work. The candidate must have a demonstrated commitment to research excellence, initiative and independence. The candidate must also have worked effectively and sociably within a team, possess effective written and verbal communication skills in English, and be able to explain complex topics to diverse audiences.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below: 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan On-Site nursery On-site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance. Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
