Postdoctoral Research Associate: Protein Self-Assembly & Biomineralisation

About the role

The Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to develop approaches for controlling the self-assembly of naturally occurring and synthetic proteins into 2D and 3D material phases. The project is funded by an Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) international consortium and is hosted in the group of Professor Tuomas Knowles. It involves a consortium between the University of Cambridge (Chemistry, Engineering and Chemical Engineering) and the University of Liverpool and AMOLF (Netherlands). The position is full-time, fixed term, with a starting salary of £37,228 to £46,970.

Key responsibilities

• Develop techniques combining a macro-scale printing method to guide and control bottom-up tuning of protein-templated biomineralisation.
• Lead the development of protein toolkits for screening proteins that enable controlled nucleation, protection, alignment and locking.
• Use the resulting platform to synthesise protein-inorganic magnetic components and conversion-capable nanocrystals via droplet, flow and field processing to form anisotropic systems.
• Contribute to the supervision of PhD and Master's students and help maintain the group's custom instruments.
• Carry out research, write up results for presentation and publication, and help prepare proposals and applications for funding.
• May give limited supervision to classes, develop student research skills, and plan and deliver seminars.

Required profile

• A PhD (or about to obtain one) in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, biochemistry or a related discipline.
• Experience studying the synthesis and/or characterisation of crystalline inorganic materials.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, ability to work in a team, and good organisational and prioritisation skills.

Required skills

• Sound understanding of microfluidics-based approaches, flow/spray-based patterning, 3D printing and related templating methods.
• Knowledge of protein design, nucleation, self-assembly and biomineralisation.

Applications are made online through the university's recruitment system, quoting reference MA51551, and must include a CV, covering letter and publications list. The closing date is 12 November 2026.