Research Associate in Peptide/Protein Design in Living Cells

A post-doctoral position is available to design and develop functional de novo peptide and protein assemblies that operate in living cells. More specifically, the aim is to construct semi-synthetic and synthetic analogues of the natural apparatus responsible for controlling the morphologies of eukaryotic cells. This is one position in a collaborative team funded by a £2M NSF-BBSRC grant led by Prof Orion Weiner, University of California at San Francisco. The Bristol-based post is in the protein design laboratory of Prof Dek Woolfson (Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bristol). It is available for 2 years in the first instance.

Specifically, the work will use computational methods ( Bioinformatics 33 , 3043 (2017)) and de novo peptide assemblies ( ACS Synth Biol 1 , 240 (2012); Science 346 , 485 (2014)) recently discovered and develop in the Woolfson lab. These will be applied to build peptide- and protein-based systems that self-assemble in bacterial and eukaryotic cells to construct supramolecular assemblies such as protein rafts and fibres (Figure; Nat Chem Biol 14 , 142 (2018)). These structures will be used to interface with endogenous proteins studied by the Weiner lab to build functional assemblies that engage with and manipulate cell membranes. As a whole, whole the project will encompass and combine rational and computational peptide/protein design, molecular biophysics and structural biology, molecular cell biology, and high-resolution light and electron microscopy.

The position would be best suited to a talented researcher with an interest in applying de novo peptide/protein design in synthetic biology and cell biology. Essential skills for this role include the design and synthesis of peptides and the biophysical or structural characterisation of these. Experience in working with peptides/proteins that interact with membranes would be an advantage. Experience in computational peptide/protein design and/or bacterial or eukaryotic molecular cell biology would be an advantage; however, neither of these are essential skills for applicants at this stage.

Because of the two-centre and highly collaborative nature of this work, it is essential that the successful candidate is able to work as part of multi-disciplinary team. There will excellent opportunities for laboratory exchanges, collaborative research and skills transfer within the project.

For informal enquiries, please contact: d.n.woolfson@bristol.ac.uk

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.