Job Description

Applications are invited for a Research Associate to work as part of a EPSRC-funded team in the \xe2\x80\x9cSPINS: Synthetic biology Pipeline for the Investigation of Novel Spidroins\xe2\x80\x9d project based within the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology. This project involves the University of Manchester and the University of Sheffield. The aim of the project is to enable rapid microbial production of novel, bespoke spider silks with predictable spinning properties, expanding the scope of viable applications of these versatile materials.

You will have skills in computational biology, aligned with the requirements of synthetic biology and genome engineering. The appointee will join a team of researchers in the SPINS consortium, in particular working with 2 PDRAs and a technician based in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and in the Department of Materials and a PDRA in University of Sheffield. A strong commitment to team-based work is required with strong background in bioinformatics, and genomics and transcriptomics data analysis, and a solid understanding of the concepts of modern molecular and synthetic biology. This 3-year project will be supervised by Professor Rainer Breitling.

You will hold a PhD (or equivalent) in Computational Biology / Bioinformatics / Systems Biology / Chemical Engineering (or a related subject area), and have technical skills in computer programming, postgenomic data analysis, statistical learning, and systems biology.

The post will be available from 1 September 2023. This is a 1.5-year full-time (1.0fte) position.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

The School of Chemistry is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality in higher education. The School holds a Silver Award which recognises their good practice in relation to gender; including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and support to allow staff to achieve a good work-life balance. We particularly welcome applications from women for this post. Appointment will always be made on merit. For further information, please visit

Our University is positive about flexible working - you can find out more

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to .

Any CV\'s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Professor Rainer Breitling

Email:

General enquiries:

Email:

Technical support:

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.

University of Manchester