Are you an experienced and ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have expertise in using biochemistry techniques to study membrane proteins? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive Universities?
You will be the main researcher on a BBSRC-funded project which aims to develop "biohybrid" systems which will harness the power in sunlight to drive energy demanding and complex chemical transformations in a sustainable way (photocatalysis). You will work with Dr Peter Adams and collaborator Prof Lars Jeuken on this ambitious research program. In this project, you will cross-link photo-active nanoparticles to multi-haem membrane protein complexes and assess photo-driven electron transfer in these "biohybrid" systems. The protein complex contains multi-haem cytochromes which perform electron transport and can be coupled to downstream redox reactions. The nanoparticles, such as "carbon dots", act as photosensitizers which will reduce the cytochrome complexes when light is absorbed and can drive vectorial electron transport across a lipid membrane. You will perform biochemistry to purify the membrane protein complexes and chemical crosslinking to associate the proteins and nanoparticles. You will insert the membrane proteins into the lipid bilayer of "model membrane" vesicles to generate a stable in vitro system (proteoliposomes). You will then characterise the activity of these biohybrids using assays based on optical spectroscopy and microscopy. This will provide insight into the chemical and physical basis of this exciting new nanotechnological system.
Enthusiastic and motivated, you will have a relevant PhD (or have submitted your thesis before taking up the role) in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biology, Chemistry or a related discipline. You will have significant experience in protein purification, absorption spectroscopy (UV-VIS), fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy of biological samples, ideally including membrane proteins and model lipid bilayer vesicles. You will be an excellent communicator, experienced at writing high impact papers and conference presentations. Familiarity or experience with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) will be beneficial. Familiarity or experience of multi-haem cytochrome protein complexes and/or nanoparticles will also be beneficial.
To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:
Dr Peter Adams, Associate Professor
Tel: +44 (0)113 343 9718 or email: [email protected]