°×С½ãÂÛ̳

The latest job opportunities here at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Biochemical Engineering

Workshop Manufacturing Engineer, Biochemical Engineering
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Ref Number B04-05346
Professional Expertise Laboratory Technical and Lab Support
Department °×С½ãÂÛ̳ BEAMS (B04)
Location °×С½ãÂÛ̳ East
Working Pattern Full time
Salary £42,099–£50,585
Contract Type Permanent
Working Type On site
Available for Secondment No
Closing Date 22-Sept-2024

About us

°×С½ãÂÛ̳ (°×С½ãÂÛ̳) is a leading global university. In our biggest development since we were founded, °×С½ãÂÛ̳ has recently expanded to the new °×С½ãÂÛ̳ East campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The Manufacturing Futures Lab (MFL) is the largest academic entity at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ East, with nearly 2000m2 of new research and collaboration space within the Marshgate building. The MFL is a cross-faculty hub, bringing together 15 academics from the °×С½ãÂÛ̳ departments of Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Chemistry. The °×С½ãÂÛ̳ East Precision Fabrication Workshop (PFW) is manged as part of the MFL and is a new advanced manufacturing facility split over two workshop areas on the ground floor of the Marshgate building. The PFW will provide custom design, fabrication and manufacturing capabilities in support of research and teaching activities using a range of state-of-the-art fabrication equipment. The PFW will support a range of research and teaching activities within MFL and other academic entities at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ East e.g. the Advanced Propulsion Lab. We are now seeking to recruit a team of three skilled Workshop Manufacturing Engineers to work collaboratively under the supervision of our experienced workshop manager.

About the role

The main purpose of the job is to design and manufacture novel experimental devices, which will contribute to the development of new research and teaching initiatives in the MFL/APL departments. You will also provide technical support and assistance to research and teaching staff, aid academics in the teaching of the Precision Manufacturing module, provide technical guidance to students, and work with post-doctoral researchers and academic staff on the timely delivery of equipment. Additional responsibilities include: performing routine maintenance and repairs on workshop tools and machinery to ensure optimal functionality and eliminate machine down time, keeping detailed records of projects including design/drawings and test data to ensure full traceability, adhering to the latest health & safety protocols and guidelines, and promoting a secure working environment for yourself and others. Key themes: technical ability, working as part of a team, troubleshooting and brainstorming ideas to contribute to a collaborative atmosphere.

About you

The postholder will be an experienced prototype engineer with an in-depth knowledge of CAD/CAM and CNC machining. A solid background and proficiency in traditional manufacturing methods(i.e. manual machining) and must possess strong technical/problem solving skills. You must be able to translate ideas into fully functioning prototypes, collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, and be able to adapt to the demands of a busy workshop. You must also be aware of and able to adhere to the latest safety standards and procedures associated with a mechanical workshop. Adaptability, creativity, and a willingness to experiment are essential qualities for success in this role alongside the ability to work collaboratively in line with the ethos at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ East. Full details about the role and what we offer as an employer can be found in the accompanying Job Description and Person Specification.

Available documents

Research Fellow Enzyme-based Plastics Degradation and Valorisation
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Ref Number B04-05275
Professional Expertise Research and Research Support
Department °×С½ãÂÛ̳ BEAMS (B04)
Location °×С½ãÂÛ̳ East
Working Pattern Full time
Salary £43,124–£51,610
Contract Type Fixed-term
Working Type On-site
Available for Secondment No
Closing Date 29-Sept-2024 

About us

The research fellow will work in the groups of Jack Jeffries in the Department of Biochemical Engineering and Helen Hailes in the Department of Chemistry at °×С½ãÂÛ̳. The project is part of the Preventing Plastic Pollution through Engineering Biology (P3EB) Mission Hub, a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming end-of-life plastic waste using cutting-edge engineering biology technologies. Working in partnership with industry, we will impart value into plastic waste, incentivising its recovery and retention, and so reducing the amount destined for landfill, for incineration, or being discarded into the environment.

About the role

The postholder will be required to develop biotechnology-based solutions to identify routes to recycle plastics. This will involve (i) The production and assay of literature, and metagenomic enzymes, (ii) characterization of the best performing enzymes, (iii) The use of evolution strategies, to enhance performance, (iv) use of mechanical and chemical pretreatments developed in related research carried out at °×С½ãÂÛ̳, to increase biofragmentation/ degradation of polymers including PET and polyurethane (v) valorisation of degradation products towards value added chemicals. The postholder will work in a multi-disciplinary environment with members of the P3EB Hub so excellent team-working and communication skills will be required. The appointment is funded by the UKRI for 24 months in the first instance

About you

The successful candidate will have a PhD degree (or be about to be awarded a PhD) in an area of Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or equivalent subject. Experience in several of the following areas: polymer biodegradation, enzyme discovery, expression and screening, bioinformatics, directed evolution, assay development and compound/polymer characterisation, together with a good publication track record, a demonstrated commitment to excellence, and excellent skills in the lab are required. They will be required to work in a multidisciplinary, collaborative team and have effective written and verbal communication skills in English. Please note, appointment at Grade 7 (£42,099 - £50,585 including London Allowance) is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B (£37,332 - £39,980 including London Allowance) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

Available documents

Research Fellow in Molecular Biology and Bioprocessing of Cellular Immunotherapies
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Ref Number B04-05431
Professional Expertise Research and Research Support
Department °×С½ãÂÛ̳ BEAMS (B04)
Location London
Working Pattern Full-time
Salary £43,124–£51,610
Contract Type Fixed-term
Working Type On-site
Available for Secondment No
Closing Date 02-Oct-2024

About us

We are recruiting a proactive, collaborative and highly motivated Research Fellow to join the Cell and Gene Therapy Bioprocessing Group at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ and lead research in Molecular Biology and Bioprocessing of Cellular Immunotherapies. The successful candidate will be lead postdoctoral researcher as part of SMARTCell Scalable Manufacture of Advanced Regenerative Cellular Therapies project. The aim of the SMARTCell project is to establish a scalable manufacturing process for allogeneic gene-modified cellular and demonstrate consistent, multi-litre scale production for cellular immunotherapies with the goal of improving the production process and increase the quantity and quality of cell manufacture. The investment in the °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Biochemical Engineering’s cell and gene therapy research exceeds £10m and focuses on cellular immunotherapy bioprocessing, gene delivery and gene therapy and non-viral technologies. The Research Fellow will be joining the CGTB group which comprises of >10 doctoral researchers and four postdoctoral Research Fellows. This advertised role would be an additional Research Fellow to the group and there would be the opportunity for the successful candidate to manage and lead projects and activities within the wider group. This post is funded for 2.5 years

About the role

The primary role of the Research Fellow will be to execute and lead experimental studies investigating the scale-up and production of allogeneic gene-modified cellular immunotherapies (e.g. allo CAR-T and/or CAR-NK). This will include the identifying the optimal cell source for allogeneic cellular immunotherapy manufacture, gene-editing/gene delivery for allogeneic applications and development of scalable cell culture processes. This will include investigating the role of critical process parameters and key variables that impact cell product quality and yield, and require the candidate to have a strong track record in molecular biology, experimental design and bioprocessing. The candidate will be required work independently to prepare and conduct rigorous and scientifically robust research. The role will require an awareness of current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) as required by health regulators as well as a strong understanding of the commercial and regulatory implications of the work. With respect to T and/or NK-cell bioprocessing, it is expected the candidate will be familiar with the fundamental biology and simplifying and optimising the isolation of these cells in addition to their upstream/downstream processing, characterisation and cell analysis. In addition to leading their own research plan, the role will provide significant management and industrial engagement opportunities. The Research Fellow will support the management of the CGTB Group, including support of the doctoral students and liaising with external partners.

About you

To succeed in this role you will have: • A PhD awarded (or about to be) in a relevant subject. This may include biological sciences, cell biology or immunology disciplines, biotechnology or biochemical engineering with relevance to cell culture, bioprocessing and analytics, and an interest in developing an understanding of scalable manufacture of allogeneic cellular immunotherapies. • Experience immune cell culture and analytics for cellular immunotherapy applications. • Training and experience in working in cell process development including the use of bioreactors. • Experience with cell characterisation assays including flow cytometry, ELISA, qPCR and other relevant assays for cellular immunotherapies.

Available documents

Research Fellow in Bioprocessing of Cellular Immunotherapies
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Ref Number B04-05432
Professional Expertise Research and Research Support
Department °×С½ãÂÛ̳ BEAMS (B04)
Location London
Working Pattern Full time
Salary £43,124–£51,610
Contract Type Fixed-term
Working Type On site
Available for Secondment No
Closing Date 04-Oct-2024

About us

We are recruiting a proactive, collaborative and highly motivated Research Fellow to join the Cell and Gene Therapy Bioprocessing Group at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ and lead research in Bioprocessing of Cellular Immunotherapies. The successful candidate will be lead postdoctoral researcher as part of FAST CAR-T project. The aim of the FAST CAR-T project is to establish a scalable manufacturing process for allogeneic gene-modified cellular and demonstrate consistent, multi-litre scale production for cellular immunotherapies with the goal of improving the production process and increase the quantity and quality of cell manufacture. The investment in the °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Biochemical Engineering’s cell and gene therapy research exceeds £10m and focuses on cellular immunotherapy bioprocessing, gene delivery and gene therapy and non-viral technologies. The Research Fellow will be joining the CGTB group which comprises of >10 doctoral researchers and four postdoctoral Research Fellows. This advertised role would be an additional Research Fellow to the group and there would be the opportunity for the successful candidate to manage and lead projects and activities within the wider group. The post is funded for 2.5 years.

About the role

The Research Fellow, under the supervision of Professor Qasim Rafiq, will lead the upstream processing and biomanufacture of allogeneic cellular immunotherapies. The primary role of the Research Fellow will be to execute and lead experimental studies investigating the scale-up and production of allogeneic gene-modified cellular immunotherapies (e.g. allo CAR-T). In addition to leading their own research plan, the role will provide significant management and industrial engagement opportunities. The Research Fellow will support the management of the CGTB Group, including support of the doctoral students and liaising with external partners. As the Research Fellow on the FAST CAR-T project you will: • Devise and undertake appropriate experiments to achieve the goals and milestones as described in the research programme. This would include a significant element of independent work, e.g. in the planning and execution of experiments, and the write up of work for publication. • Interact with the researchers and investigators within the Cell and Gene Therapy Bioprocess Group at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ and the wider °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Biochemical Engineering department to deliver the research project and programme aims. • Write regular reports to the supervisor, compile data acquired in a form to allow rapid transformation of research results into research papers and/or patent applications.

About you

To succeed in this role you will have: • A PhD awarded (or about to be) in a relevant subject. This may include biological sciences, cell biology or immunology disciplines, biotechnology or biochemical engineering with relevance to cell culture, bioprocessing and analytics, and an interest in developing an understanding of scalable manufacture of allogeneic cellular immunotherapies. • Experience immune cell culture and analytics for cellular immunotherapy applications. • Training and experience in working in cell process development including the use of bioreactors. • Experience with cell characterisation assays including flow cytometry, ELISA, qPCR and other relevant assays for cellular immunotherapies.

Available documents

Research Fellow in Protein Nanoparticle Technology
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Ref Number B04-05428
Professional Expertise Research and Research Support
Department °×С½ãÂÛ̳ BEAMS (B04)
Location London
Working Pattern Full time
Salary £43,124–£51,610
Contract Type Fixed-term
Working Type On site
Available for Secondment No
Closing Date 06-Oct-2024 

About us

This position is a key part of the Manufacturing Research Hub for a Sustainable Future (VaxHub Sustainable), led by °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Biochemical Engineering and the University of Oxford with academic and industrial partners. VaxHub Sustainable is funded with a £12M EPSRC grant, part of UKRI. It builds on the success of the DHSC-funded Vax-Hub 1, which played a critical role in making the UK the global centre for vaccine discovery, development and manufacture. Its research underpinned the development of the ChAdOx-1 nCoV-19 vaccine, subsequently licensed to AstraZeneca, with benefit to over 180 countries. VaxHub Sustainable’s vision is to deliver manufacturing innovations that enable a transformative change towards sustainable and rapidly responsive vaccine manufacture.

About the role

The postholder will develop a protein nanoparticle platform for the encapsulation and targeted delivery of vaccines. Building on our previous work, which demonstrated oriented antigen display on protein nanoparticles and molecule loading, we will apply these strategies to enable the generation of a protein-based delivery system for a range of target molecules. We aim to gain a deep understanding of the loading capacity, target molecule stability and fate upon delivery into cells. With this work we strive to improve stability, storage and administration of sustainable vaccine manufacturing and delivery. There will be a high degree of interaction with °×С½ãÂÛ̳ colleagues and industrial partners so excellent team-working and communication skills will be required. The post holder will be responsible for undertaking original experimental research, reporting on project progress and the preparation and submission of research papers arising from these and related studies.

About you

You hold a PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. Bio/Chemical Engineering) or a related area or in natural sciences reinforced with an emphasis on protein engineering and synthetic biology (e.g. Biotechnology, Biochemistry), and ideally possess experience in biochemical/biophysical analysis of protein assemblies and molecular biology techniques (e.g. cloning, in vitro RNA production). We want to give people opportunity for development and this role is one where we could consider a wide range of different skills and experiences . Whilst all candidates must meet the essential criteria in order to be shortlisted, we actively encourage candidates who may not meet all of the desirable criteria to apply as we consider these to be areas the successful candidate can grow within the role. For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Stefanie Frank at Stefanie.frank @ucl.ac.uk.

Available documents

Please visit Work At °×С½ãÂÛ̳ to learn about further job opportunities at °×С½ãÂÛ̳.

What we offer at °×С½ãÂÛ̳

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:- • 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) • Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme • Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan • Immigration loan • Relocation scheme for certain posts • On-Site nursery • On-site gym • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay • Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service • Discounted medical insurance

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 °×С½ãÂÛ̳’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. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion here