The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Join the UK-South-East Asia Vaccine Manufacturing Hub to transform vaccine development and manufacturing for outbreak preparedness. The Hub focuses on mRNA, viral vector, and protein vaccines to combat diseases such as dengue, hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), tuberculosis, rabies and hepatitis. The Hub aims to enhance the capacity to produce affordable, accessible, and high-quality vaccines in South-East Asia.

The RNA platform technology has emerged as one of the most promising and strategic technologies for rapid global vaccination, infectious disease control, biotherapeutics development, and preparedness for future healthcare challenges. However, there is substantial room for improving the production process to increase production rates and volumes, and to reduce manufacturing costs, whilst maintaining consistently high product quality in a disease-agnostic manner.

In this exciting post-doctoral researcher role, you'll develop cutting-edge batch and continuous platform processes for linear and circular RNAs encoding multiple vaccine antigens. You will also work on downstream purification, lipid nanoparticle formulation, and RNA quality analysis.  There is also an opportunity to be involved in commercialisation activities.

Essential skills and abilities: experimental (bio)process development or similar, communication, critical thinking, creativity, self-drive, problem solving, curiosity, and research excellence.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Take initiative and play a leading role in relation to the development of innovative RNA vaccine production processes.
• Drive the development and scale-up of next-gen linear and circular RNA vaccines and therapeutics production processes.
• In consultation with the principal investigator, design, set up and run experiments to achieve the project aims.
• Plan, develop and fine-tune existing lab and pilot-scale production processes for the manufacturing of RNA vaccines and therapeutics.
• Work closely with other researchers and experts from other universities and companies, for instance, to plan research, share data, samples, and best practice approaches, in support of research objectives.
• Write and document lab procedures, analyse & interpret data, maintain excellent scientific records, prepare reports, and participate in meetings.
• Continuously monitor and check results. The unpredictability of research means that daily planning needs to accommodate new developments.
• Stay at the forefront of the field by reading the relevant scientific literature, attending conferences, and participating in training sessions.
• Drive the publication of research in leading peer-reviewed journals and present findings at conferences.
• Supervise/advise research team/activities including the training of other users in the lab. Assist in the day-to-day management and delivery of the project, when required.
• Contribute to the development of further research and funding proposals.
• Optionally, engage in commercialisation activities.
• Demonstrate a commitment to health and safety, following all guidelines, procedures etc., escalating any concerns as appropriate.
• As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• A PhD degree (or equivalent research experience) in (bio)chemical engineering, (bio)process engineering, biotechnology, chemistry or a related discipline (assessed at: application/interview)
• Experience in molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, reaction engineering or chemistry (assessed at: application/interview)
• Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to produce technical reports for stakeholders and funders (assessed at: application/interview)
• Ability to think critically, analyse and solve problems, with an appreciation of longer-term goals and implications (assessed at: application/interview)
• Ability to assess and organise resources, manage time and plan, progress and document work activities accurately (assessed at: application/interview)
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in multi-disciplinary teams. Being able to work with industry partners and transfer technology (assessed at: application/interview)
• Eagerness to present findings at conferences and collaborate with vaccine manufacturers and stakeholders (assessed at: application/interview)
• Self-motivation and self-driven to perform high-quality research. Utilising attention to detail, curiosity, creativity and interdisciplinary knowledge (assessed at: application/interview)

Desirable criteria (max 2)

• Experience in experimental process development, preferably in (bio)pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing, with a focus on mRNA and, ideally, circular mRNA production (assessed at: application/interview)
• Experience with statistical design of experiments and data analysis. Proven track record of high-quality research and peer-reviewed publications (assessed at: application/interview)

Further Information

Grade: 7

Duration: Fixed term for 28 months

Line manager: Dr Zoltan Kis

Direct reports: None.

For informal enquiries about this job contact cbe-recruiters@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place a couple of weeks after the closing date. This will consist of an interview and presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage one week after the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact cbe-recruiters@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.