Research Associate/ Senior Research Associate in AI-Enabled Enzyme Engineering for PET Biorecycling

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Salary
Research Associate: £37,369 - £46,970 per annum.
Senior Research Associate: £48,337 - £51,258 per annum.

The Role
The Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre (EBIC - https://ebicentre.co.uk/ ), of which ICOS (https://ico2s.org) is a member, brings together scientists from leading UK institutions in a mission to engineer the properties and functions of microorganisms, creating more effective ways to monitor the environment, remove pollutants and support a circular bioeconomy.

We are seeking a Research Associate or Senior Research Associate to manage the experimental delivery of an AI- and bioinformatics-augmented, high-throughput platform for discovering and engineering enzymes that depolymerise polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PETase-like sequences will be prioritised, expressed, screened and improved through rapid Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycles.

You will combine synthetic biology, enzyme engineering, and bioinformatics to improve PETase, MHETase/BHETase, and PET-binding modules for PET degradation.

You will work closely with Professor Natalio Krasnogor, the wider ICOS and EBIC teams and international collaborators at PROIMI-CONICET in Argentina. You will establish reproducible protocols and structured data capture, coordinate delivery against milestones, publish high-quality research and help translate the platform towards industrially credible PET valorisation. Appointment at Senior Research Associate level will reflect a stronger record of independent management, supervision, partnership working, translation, research development and commercial/industrial experience.

This post includes travel within the UK and internationally, including visits to collaborator laboratories and conferences, as required for the project and subject to reasonable adjustments.

Acompleted doctorate in a relevant discipline is essential for appointment at either level.

For an informal conversation about the opportunity, please contact Professor Natalio Krasnogor at .

This role is full-time and fixed-term for a period up to 31.03.29.

To apply, please upload a CV and letter of application which outlines how your skills, experiences and knowledge align with the person specification below.