Postdoctoral Research Associate in Chemical Biology (Biocatalysis)

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Chemical Biology (Biocatalysis)

The University of Manchester - Department of Chemistry

Location: Manchester
Salary: £37,694 to £46,049 per annum
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 3rd June 2026
Closes: 31st July 2026
Job Ref: SAE-031579

Job reference: SAE-031579
Salary: £37,694 - £46,049 per annum depending on experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Manchester Institute of Biotechnology
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Chemistry
Hours Per Week: Full Time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 31/07/2026
Contract Duration: Fixed term for 24 months
School/Directorate: School of Natural Sciences

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Chemical Biology (Biocatalysis). This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research within the Department of Chemistry, based at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB). You will work as part of an interdisciplinary and inclusive research environment, collaborating with academic and industrial partners to deliver high-quality research outputs.

This post is funded for 24 months from 1 January 2027 and is part of the project “Unlocking Nucleoside and Glycoconjugate Chemical Biology using Biocatalysis” led by Professor Gavin Miller.

You will be responsible for:

• Designing and undertaking high-quality research in biocatalysis and chemical biology
• Developing innovative experimental protocols for the synthesis of carbohydrate and nucleoside conjugates
• Managing research projects and ensuring timely delivery of outputs
• Disseminating research through publications, reports, presentations and conferences
• Collaborating effectively with academic colleagues, students and external partners, and supporting the training of others within the research group

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• A PhD (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology or a closely related discipline
• A strong research track record in biocatalysis or related areas, evidenced by publications
• Experience in molecular synthesis and characterisation and enzyme-based or chemoenzymatic methods
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with protein engineering, microbiology techniques or multi-step enzyme synthesis
• Experience working with academic–industry collaborations
• Evidence of presenting research at conferences or seminars
• Experience contributing to grant-funded or interdisciplinary research projects

We value transferable skills, creativity and real-world research experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer pension contribution
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Access to world-class research facilities at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology