Summary
The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham is seeking a Research Fellow to develop a platform technology for the rapid generation of reagents that recognize diverse nucleic acid sequences and structures with high affinity and selectivity. Funded by a UKRI-EPSRC grant, the role focuses on mirror-image nucleic acids and combinatorial biology screening tools (phage and/or mRNA display) to discover selective peptide ligands, while assisting in the operational running and research activities of the Wilson laboratory.
Key Position Overview
| Attribute | Details |
| Job Identification | 9803 |
| Designation | Research Fellow in Chemical Biology |
| Grade | Grade 7 |
| Department / School | School of Chemistry |
| Institution | University of Birmingham |
| Job Category | Academic Non-clinical |
| Contract Type | Full-Time, Fixed-Term (available for 30 months; up to April 2029) |
| Salary | £36,636 to £46,049 per annum (progression potential up to £48,822) |
| Travel Requirements | UK and International travel required |
| Closing Date | September 13, 2026 (03:59 PM BST) |
Designation
Research Fellow in Chemical Biology (Grade 7)
Research Area
- Chemical Biology
- Peptide & Peptidomimetic Ligand Discovery
- Combinatorial Biology & Screening (Phage display, mRNA display)
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry (Mirror-image nucleic acids / D- and L-enantiomer targeting)
Location
School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
Eligibility / Qualification
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Education:
- A first degree in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or a closely allied discipline.
- A PhD (or near completion) in Chemical Biology or a relevant scientific discipline.
- Research & Domain Knowledge:
- Exceptional background knowledge of contemporary research in peptide and peptidomimetic bioactive ligand discovery and development.
- Exceptional technical skills and track record in chemical biology.
- Experience with screening methods used to identify bioactive ligands.
- Practical laboratory experience in one or more of the following:
- Solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS)
- Solid-phase nucleic acid synthesis
- Phage display
- mRNA display
- Biophysical assay development and implementation
- Track Record & Skills:
- Ability to independently lead, design, execute, and publish high-quality research, evidenced by a track record of peer-reviewed journal publications.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for national and international conferences.
- Strong organizational, project planning, and time-management skills to meet tight deadlines under minimal supervision.
- Understanding of equality, diversity, and the Equality Act 2010.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience implementing functional cellular assays to profile bioactive compounds.
- Experience with cell-based imaging methods.
Job Description & Responsibilities
- Research Execution & Design: Work independently and collaboratively to design, plan, and conduct investigation programs using cutting-edge approaches to target nucleic acids with peptidomimetics.
- Method Development: Generate independent, original research ideas to screen mirror-image nucleic acids against phage and/or mRNA display libraries.
- Laboratory Management & Support: Assist Prof. Andrew Wilson in the day-to-day running of the laboratory, assessing resource requirements, and ensuring a safe, collaborative research environment.
- Mentorship & Supervision: Contribute to the co-supervision and mentoring of postgraduate (PhD) researchers, junior staff, and undergraduate project students.
- Collaborative Engagement: Liaise actively with project co-investigators (Prof. Jim Tucker, Prof. Tim Knowles at Birmingham, and Dr. Scott Lovell at University of Bath).
- Dissemination: Prepare manuscripts for high-impact publication and present research outcomes at seminars and academic conferences.
How to Apply
- Online Submission: Submit your application directly through the University of Birmingham Oracle Careers Portal.
- Application Note (Use of AI): The recruitment panel requests that candidates craft written materials reflecting their genuine voice and personal experience. Applications over-reliant on generic AI-generated content will unlikely progress to the interview stage.
- Informal Enquiries: Informal questions regarding the project and role can be directed to Prof. Andrew Wilson via email at
a.j.wilson.1@bham.ac.uk.
Last Date to Apply
- Application Deadline: September 13, 2026, by 03:59 PM (UK Time)
