Job Description

Job number

NAT01983

Faculties

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Departments

Department of Life Sciences

Salary or Salary range

48,056 - 56,345 per annum

Location/campus

South Kensington Campus - On site only

Contract type work pattern

Full time - Fixed term

Posting End Date

21 Jul 2025

About the role

------------------


Join the pioneering "Programmable Plant Immunity" initiative, where we will build the first open-source, AI-guided discovery and bio-engineering platform capable of designing synthetic immune receptors for crops. Working at the intersection of structural bioinformatics, molecular plant-microbe interactions, and synthetic biology, you will generate receptors that detect stealthy pathogen effectors and re-engineer them to broaden disease-resistance spectra.



This job is part of an Advanced Research + Invention Agency-funded project, subject to contract negotiations.

What you would be doing

---------------------------


In this role you will drive both the computational and laboratory strands of our "Programmable Plant Immunity" project. You will develop digital workflows to uncover new disease-resistance genes, translate promising leads into rapid plant assays, and iteratively engineer improved receptor variants. Working closely with a multidisciplinary team, you'll help shape project strategy, document and share datasets for regular reviews, and represent the work through publications and conference presentations.

What we are looking for

---------------------------


We are seeking a passionate and driven researcher with:


A

PhD

(or near completion) in Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field. Experience in

molecular biology, plant immunity, genetics or bionformatics

. Strong skills in high-throughput

cloning via Golden Gate

A collaborative mindset,

strong problem-solving skills

, and the ability to work both

independently and as part of a team

. Excellent

communication and organizational skills

Proven experience in molecular biology Proven experience in protein biochemistry Proven experience in employing AI-tools for protein complex and structure prediction Experience in protein-protein interactions (co-immunoprecipitation of proteins) Experience with molecular cloning methods (Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate cloning etc) Experience in transient expression systems in N. benthamiana Have the ability to develop and apply new concepts Have a creative approach to problem-solving Good teamwork skills, well-developed laboratory experience and a positive attitude towards tinkering and learning new methods Familiarity with

bioinformatics, or AI-driven protein modeling

is a plus.

What we can offer you

-------------------------


The opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research at a world-leading institution and contribute to fundamental discoveries in plant immunity and pathogen interactions. Be part of a

highly collaborative and supportive

, multidisciplinary research environment, working with leading experts from Imperial College London. Access to state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced imaging platforms, protein biochemistry, gene editing tools, and Cryo-EM techniques. Career development opportunities, including access to Imperial's dedicated researcher development programs, leadership training, and mentoring schemes. A competitive salary and benefits package, including 39 days of annual leave and a generous pension scheme. A diverse, inclusive, and supportive work culture, with access to staff networks and resources to enhance both personal and professional well-being.

Further information

-----------------------


Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.



If you require any further details about the role, please contact: Dr Tolga Bozkurt - o.bozkurt@imperial.ac.uk

Available documents

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Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.



If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk. We're here to help.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.



Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world's toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.



As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you'll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.



This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you'll join us at Imperial College London.

Our Culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination, and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.



Our values are at the root of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.