Research Associate in Structural Biology and Cryo-EM, Imperial College London
The Costa Laboratory within the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate with expertise in protein biochemistry, structural biology, and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). This exciting opportunity is funded through a Wellcome Trust Discovery Award and offers the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research on the molecular mechanisms driving horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in bacteria.
This project aims to characterize the complex molecular nanomachines involved in:
- Bacterial conjugation
- Bacteriophage-mediated transduction
- Phage satellite biology
- Horizontal gene transfer mechanisms
The research will leverage advanced cryo-EM approaches to study large macromolecular assemblies at near-atomic resolution. The project builds on the laboratory’s internationally recognized contributions to Type IV secretion systems, bacteriophage biology, and phage satellite research.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and execute protein structure determination workflows
- Perform protein expression, purification, and biochemical characterization
- Prepare cryo-EM samples and optimize grids
- Conduct single-particle analysis (SPA) data collection and processing
- Build and refine atomic models
- Analyze structural and functional datasets
- Contribute to publications in high-impact journals
- Present findings at national and international scientific conferences
- Collaborate within a multidisciplinary research team
Qualifications & Skills Required
- PhD (or equivalent) in Structural Biology or a related field
- Strong expertise in cryo-electron microscopy
- Experience with end-to-end protein structure determination workflows
- Knowledge of molecular biology and protein biochemistry techniques
- Expertise in cryo-EM data acquisition, processing, and model building
- Excellent scientific writing and communication skills
For more phage-related research associate job opportunities, check here
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