University of Oxford – Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research Molecular Science Group

Up to six research and research-support positions available

Supervisors: Professors Mark Moloney, Jeremy Robertson, Luet Wong

 

Applications are invited for up to six positions within the Molecular Science Group at the University of Oxford’s newly-opened multidisciplinary research centre in China: the Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research (OSCAR). This is an exciting opportunity to establish and develop research activities in brand new laboratories fully-equipped and resourced for synthetic biology, organic synthesis, and materials chemistry. The work will be done in collaboration with research groups in Oxford and there will be the opportunity to undertake 1–2-month research visits there.

 

OSCAR was created as a partnership between the University of Oxford and the Suzhou Industrial Park www.sipac.gov.cn/english/. The building comprises 20,000 m2 of space distributed over nine floors and will house translational collaborative research originating from twelve academic research groups from the University of Oxford’s Departments of Chemistry, Engineering Science, and Materials. Researchers in the Molecular Science Group (PIs: Moloney, Robertson, Wong) have dedicated brand new office and laboratory space, with adjacent analytical and spectroscopic equipment, including 400 MHz NMR, IR, UV, GC, analytical and preparative SFC-MS, GPC, and surface analytical and processing instrumentation. Further details and an image gallery are available at oscar.web.ox.ac.uk.

We will appoint up to four Research Scientists (RS) at the post-doctoral level and up to two Research Technicians (RT). If suitably qualified and experienced candidates present themselves, one each of the RS and RT positions will be made at the Senior level with an appropriate increase in responsibility and salary. Each position is tenable for 36 months in the first instance, with the possibility of extension. Further positions will become available in due course. Successful RS applicants will be expected to manage their own research, work collaboratively with other members of the team, and conduct all experimental work in accordance with all safety regulations in force within OSCAR.

 

Synthetic Biology (1 x RS) 

The project requires one RS to assemble and optimise the biosynthesis pathways for sesquiterpenes and diterpenes in E. coli and yeast for their production and subsequent functionalisation for the synthesis of fine chemicals and compounds with desirable biological activity. Applicants should have extensive experience in assembling and optimising metabolic pathways to maximise production of target compounds by synthetic biology, and have a PhD in molecular or synthetic biology, or should have submitted a PhD thesis in this area prior to taking up the appointment. Further details are available for download here and informal enquiries may be made to Professor Wong via email: luet.wong@chem.ox.ac.uk.

 

Organic Synthesis (2 x RS)

The project requires two RS in the first instance to develop the use of C–H hydroxylating enzymes for a variety of synthetic chemistry applications. Applicants should have significant expertise in organic synthesis with a demonstrated ability to design and execute multistep routes to structurally-diverse and stereochemically defined organic molecules; extensive expertise in compound isolation, purification, and spectroscopic analysis (especially NMR) will be essential. Applicants should have a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry, or should have submitted a PhD thesis in this area prior to taking up the appointment. Further details are available for download here and informal enquiries may be made to Professor Robertson via email: jeremy.robertson@chem.ox.ac.uk.

 

Materials Chemistry (1 x RS)  

One RS position is available in Professor Moloney’s research group in the area of synthetic and materials chemistry. The projects relate to the development of novel surface modification and polymerisation methodologies using carbene reagents and require a skilled organic chemist with an interest in surface, material and polymer applications. Candidates should have a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry, or should have submitted a PhD thesis in this area prior to taking up the appointment. Relevant publications: RSC Advances 2017, 7, 29645; Macromolecules 2017, 50, 1422; RSC Advances 2016, 6, 111276; Langmuir 2016, 32, 7917; Langmuir 2015, 31, 11086. Further details are available for download here.

 

Research Technicians (2 x RT)       

One RT is required to provide technical support for the RS team on enzyme variant expression in E. coli, enzyme isolation, in vitro and in vivo biotransformation, product analysis, and smooth running of the research effort by maintaining stocks of reagents and minor equipment. A second RT is required for the management and upkeep of the suite of the Molecular Science Group’s analytical equipment; if appropriate, appointment at Senior RT level will be considered for which the remit will extend more widely within OSCAR and may include supporting the Environmental Health and Safety Supervisor. Further details are available for download here.

How to apply Applicants should submit a covering letter and CV in English as a PDF attachment by email to info@oxford-oscar.cn before the closing date of 12:00 midday on 29th March 2019. The email subject should specify the title of the post for which you are applying and you must include your full name and telephone number.