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.

Overview

This post is part of a large, cross disciplinary research project funded by a Wellcome Trust Discovery award. Our overarching goal is to understand how phagocytic cells control how they kill different microbes. This core role of immune cells is key to preventing infections, but how pathogen processing is controlled and especially how this adapts to different microbes remains a major gap in our knowledge. We previously identified key lipid signals required for phagosome maturation and pathogen killing. Using the unique tools we have developed, we now find this signalling is modulated in response to different microbes - defining a novel key feature of the innate immune response.

This post will take place in the lab of Hannes Maib and focus on the reconstitution of phosphoinositide conversion cascades using supported lipid bilayer systems. You will be recombinantly producing lipid kinases and phosphatases using eukaryotic expression systems and determine the molecular mechanisms that control their activities.

A PhD (or equivalent experience) in biochemistry, cell biology or a related field along with experience in biochemistry and protein reconstitution using bacterial and/or eukaryotic expression systems. Experience in the use and maintenance of chromatography systems (AKTA) is also essential. A passion and creativity in the use of protein reconstitution and lipid bilayer systems to address outstanding questions in cell biology is what drives our work.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Undertake research on mechanisms of phosphoinositide conversion by lipid kinases and phosphatases in line with the project requirements
• Manage and maintain eukaryotic expression systems to support research requiring recombinant proteins
• Manage and maintain chromatography systems (AKTA pure)
• Work closely with the research team to develop hypotheses, experimental protocols, analytical tools and biological samples to achieve the programme’s goals.
• Lead on the design and planning experimental work with members of the research team and agree on an inclusive strategy to complete the research programme.
• Regularly update the research team on project progress and development.
• Support and maintain a collegiate and supportive research environment and contribute to the supervision of junior members of the research team.
• Interact and collaborate with partners in other institutions and industry to develop effective and positive partnerships and collaborations.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments.
• Obtain, analyse and interpret data, keeping clear accessible records, making data, records and protocols available according to open/FAIR principles as soon as possible.
• Prepare papers for journals / presentation in-house or at national and international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Write supporting documents (such as protocols, reports, etc.) to support the research team and wider community.
• Work with the team to design and develop future experiments, funding applications, scientific papers and partnerships.
• Actively participate in the team’s collaborative research, including taking on roles in lab safety, ordering, providing training and administration as required.
• 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 (or equivalent experience) in biochemistry, cell biology or a related field (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Experience in biochemistry and protein reconstitution using bacterial and/or eukaryotic expression systems (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Experience in the use and maintenance of chromatography systems (AKTA) (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills and experience of delivering presentations (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Ability to direct your own research and assume leadership on a project (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Willingness to tackle unfamiliar tasks and develop new skills (assessed at: application/Interview).

Desirable criteria

• Experience in CryoEM (assessed at: application/Interview).
• Experience in the use and preparation of supported lipid bilayer systems (assessed at: application/Interview).

Further Information

Grade: 7

Salary: £37,999 - £42,632 per annum

Working Arrangement: Full-time (100% FTE)

Duration: 1 March 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter) for a period of 4 years

Line manager: Research Fellow / Principal Investigator

Direct reports: None

Our website: Maib Lab / School of Biosciences

For informal enquiries about this job contact Hannes Maib, Research Fellow: on h.maib@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. This will consist of a visit to the lab to meet the team and a research presentation and interview. If you are shortlisted for interview and require any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please contact bioscienceshradmin@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.