Research Assistant

An exciting opportunity is available for a research assistant to join a collaborative project investigating the molecular mechanisms of temperature sensing in ion channels, with a focus on the TRPM8 channel.

The position is part of a Human Frontier Science Program award: Understanding the molecular basis of animal cold thermosensation

The project aims to understand how thermosensitive ion channels detect and respond to cold temperatures across species adapted to very different thermal environments. In particular, we investigate how evolutionary changes in ion channel proteins may influence their temperature-dependent behaviour, including comparisons between extinct species such as the woolly mammoth and their closest living relatives, such as the Asian elephant.

The research uses molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of ion channels, together with analysis and interpretation of simulation data, to investigate how thermosensitive ion channels respond to temperature changes across different species.

The project is a collaboration with leading experimental researchers in structural biology, electrophysiology, and evolutionary biology.

About you

• Hold (or be close to completing) a degree in a relevant discipline such as Chemistry, Physics, Biological Sciences, Engineering, or a related field.
• Have experience with programming, preferably in Python, and an interest in developing computational skills further.
• Be comfortable working with data analysis and scientific computing.
• Have some familiarity with computational or quantitative approaches applied to physical or biological systems (e.g. modelling, simulations, or data-driven research).
• Be willing to learn and apply computational methods to problems in biophysics, particularly related to membrane proteins.
• Have good problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a research team.
• Be willing to undertake occasional travel (typically once or twice per year) to attend consortium meetings with project partners.

Desirable (but not essential)

• Experience with molecular simulations, modelling, or related computational techniques.
• Familiarity with Unix/Linux environments or high-performance computing.
• Exposure to relevant software tools (e.g. molecular dynamics packages or data analysis libraries).

Further information

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

This is a full time fixed term role (36.5 hours per week for 12 months) with an expected start date of October 2026.

For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact Professor Carmen Domene at mcdn20@bath.ac.uk.