Postdoctoral Research Associate in Protein Biochemistry and Applied Entomology

The University

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career while enjoying a high-quality work/life balance. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people’s lives.  

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world.

Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential. 

Our University Strategy

Our Purpose and Values

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Durham? information page.  

The Role and Department

The Department of Biosciences is composed of 68 academic staff and research fellows; around 50 research and technical support staff; over 90 Research Postgraduate students and over 500 Single Honours undergraduate students. We offer a 3-year BSc degree programme in Biological Sciences and a 4-year MBiol, while also contributing to Natural Sciences. We also run a PGT in Plant Biotechnology with further PGT programmes scheduled for future delivery. Our research and teaching is supported by outstanding research infrastructure in advanced bioimaging (including super-resolution, confocal and electron microscopy), genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, high-performance computing and field research. We promote research at the interface with other disciplines.

The Dept. of Biosciences is currently ranked in the top 5 UK Biology Departments in University league tables (4th in the Guardian University Guide, 5th in The Complete University Guide) and has a 100% internationally recognised research environment (REF2021). Our basic science underpins applications across each-and-every sector of the bio-economy, including Biotechnology, Ecology and Agritechnology. Research programmes are grouped in the following areas: Molecular Plant Sciences; Biomolecular Interactions; Ecology, Evolution and Environment; and Animal Cells and Systems. These groups organise focused seminar series, Research Away Days, manage joint research facilities, oversee mentoring, internal peer review and serve to nucleate larger research projects. Along with our excellent research facilities such as bioimaging, proteomics, metabolomics and genomics we offer a high quality and supportive environment for our research staff.

The Dept. of Biosciences partners with other areas of research strength in Durham University including Computational Sciences and Chemistry, and encourages multidisciplinary research for Health and Wellbeing. 

The Department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award. Athena SWAN is a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation and progression. The Department embraces excellence in all of its forms and invites all qualified applicants to apply. We particularly welcome applications from women and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in the academic sector.

The Role

Applications are invited for a PDRA to conduct research in a collaborative project with Fundecitrus, a Brazilian association maintained by citrus growers and juice manufacturers from the State of São Paulo to foster the sustainable development of the citrus industry.

Project Title “Developing novel protein-based strategies for the control of insect pests.”

Our research group focusses on the exploitation of venom-derived neurotoxic peptides for the control of insect pests and this project builds upon an established collaboration with Fundecitrus to explore opportunities to develop new strategies for the control of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri. D. citri is a key vector of the phloem-limited bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), that causes Huanglongbing, the most serious and currently incurable disease of citrus worldwide.

This role will involve the generation of expression constructs and the production, purification, and characterisation of recombinant proteins. The Artificial Intelligence platform Alpha-fold and Alpha-fold 2 will be used to design expression constructs and proteins will be produced using the yeast Pichia pastoris by bench-top fermentation. Characterisation of protein products will involve working with model insect pests (aphids and lepidopteran larvae) and a non-target pollinator such as bumble bees (Bombus terrestris ). We are looking for an excellent communicator, both in oral and written form, who is able to collaborate effectively with our partner organisation Fundecitrus.

In addition to this research project, the successful applicant will be expected to contribute to the day-to-day management of the laboratory as detailed in the requirements and responsibilities given below. The post is fixed term for 12 months and the successful candidate will be working with Dr Fitches.

Responsibilities :

• Planning the research programme in consultation with the PI and CoI. To include design of experiments; ordering and scheduling resources such as consumables, access to relevant facilities, to ensure that experiments progress as planned.
• Working independently and in compliance with health and safety operating procedures to conduct research activities as agreed, to include insect bioassays such as micro-injection; operation of fermenter etc. Following established protocols but adapting where necessary and appropriate.
• Manage own time, including planning and prioritising workplan in consultation with the line manager and within the framework of the research proposal to ensure completion of tasks within specified deadlines.
• Maintain insect cultures to ensure that there are viable, healthy stocks, in the amounts required to complete planned experiments.
• Conduct analysis and data interpretation and maintain accurate records of data and materials produced during the project.
• Prepare written reports outlining the progress and results of the research, for distribution to key stakeholders, to include funding bodies and other relevant external and internal audiences; such as peer review publications, patent applications, proposals for follow-on funding etc., whilst ensuring protection of intellectual property is not compromised.
• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• Participate in project team meetings, specifically reporting on progress of defined research objectives and contributing to discussions and decision making with regard to the planning and design of experiments; interpretation of results and other tasks required to deliver the research proposal.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio. 
• Work with the project team to look for ways to improve processes, techniques, outputs and results across all areas of your work.
• Support activities and participate with others to generate external income, including involvement in research proposals.
• Any other reasonable duties.

This post is fixed term for 12 months for this fixed period only (1st January 2024 – 31st December 2024) and the successful candidate will be working with Dr Elaine Fitches.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st January 2024

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.  
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled  into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion 

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values  and our Staff Code of Conduct.   At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. 

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities and people from racially minoritised ethnic groups.

We are committed to equality: if for any reason you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of research outputs, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application.  We also understand that the Covid-19 pandemic will have had differential impacts on different people and welcome information on this if you wish to share it. The selection committee will recognise that this may have reduced the quantity of your research accordingly 

The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. 

Contact Information 

Department contact for academic-related enquiries 

Dr Elaine Fitches, [email protected]

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application 

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email.  Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to [email protected]  

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time.  We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).  

University contact for general queries about the recruitment process 

If you have any general queries about the recruitment process please contact the recruitment team on [email protected]. 

How to Apply  

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.  We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What to Submit 

All applicants are asked to submit: 

• a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below. 

Next Steps 

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department.  The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days in or around TBC.

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date. 

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

1.    A PhD (or be close to submission) in biology or biochemistry.

Experience and Skills

2.    Significant experience in the design and cloning of hybrid recombinant proteins for expression in yeast (PCR, primer design, sequence analysis, E. coli and yeast transformation).

3.    Experience in the production of recombinant proteins by bench-top fermentation.

4.    Experience of using alpha fold and alpha fold2 software to predict protein structure

5.    Experience of insect physiology (bioassays, dissection, tissue/protein sample preparation)

6.    Experience in biochemical methods (SDS-PAGE, native PAGE, Western blotting etc)

7.    Excellent written and verbal communication skills- demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.

8.    Excellent organisational skills -including team and independent working and working to strict deadlines

Desirable Criteria:

Experience

9.    Experience of transient expression of proteins in tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana )

10.  Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.

11.  A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.

12.  Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.

13.  Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals.

Skills

14.  Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.